Winner Houzz Best Service 2020

Apr 20, 2020 | Posted in Starr Spotlight |

Left corner of a white farmhouse style kitchen showing open shelving with potted herbs and plants, a grey countertop over white cabinetry with silver drawer pulls, and a round metal pendant light. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

We’re proud to share Kimball Starr Interior Design has been awarded Best of Service by Houzz again in 2020! It’s our 8^th win!

If you haven’t visited (and you should), Houzz is a social platform connecting homeowners and residential interior design professionals.

View from a dining area into an open plan living space. At the forefront is a mid-century modern wood table and wooden chairs with multicolor fabric seats and backs. Plants and natural driftwood sculptures appears at the back walls. A bright window wall and double door all made of glass stream light into the living space. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

This award shows that our work is popular with clients, as do our 26 reviews and 15 projects with over 50,000 Houzz ideabook saves.

A modern bathroom in textured grey-brown tiling with a white bathtub and clear glass wall with door on simple hinges. A white towel hangs from a wall rail. Large tan floor tiles are just visible at the bottom, while a white ceiling shows a recessed light above the shower and tub. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

We transform kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms – any space in your home that needs some TLC.

A modern compact U-shaped kitchen, with a silver and black range and oven at the center, and matching microwave above it. The top cabinets are a light grey with round silver handles, while the lower cabinets are a darker grey with horizontal silver drawer pulls and handles. The flooring is a multicolor horizontal pattern. The countertops are an off-white, with grey multishaded subway tiles as backsplash and running throughout the kitchen walls. The countertops are dressed with fruit and vegetables and bottled water in glass, plus a topiary-style plant. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

We do new construction, and specialize in renovations. We have excellent relationships with contractors, so your project will be done on time and done right, as our Houzz award shows.

A comfortable mid-century modern living room, with an orangey-brown leather loveseat at left, dressed with fluffy and patterned throw pillows, a blue-grey sofa at the back wall, with more pillows, a fluid-shaped coffee table, two vintage lamps, and a footstool and colorful patterned chair framing the view into the space. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Our firm has been winning awards for many years now. Recently, we were named one of the top 20 interior design firms in San Francisco by Brightech, where they featured our vintage mid-century modern bungalow design.

Looking for an award-winning, fun firm for a new home design or renovation? Look no further than Kimball Starr Interior Design – contact us today for a consultation!

Labels: awards, bathroom, bedroom, contemporary interior design, dining room, guest bedroom, Houzz, kitchen, living room, modern style

Wellness Design is Trending

Apr 06, 2020 | Posted in Trends |

View into the Prado Restaurant, showing a pergola with hanging vines and greenery high above a seating area. — *Prado restaurant design by ARKSTUDIO / Photo by Rodrigo Cardos*

In advance of Earth Day on April 22, and also because we’ve been dealing with a global pandemic that’s keeping us indoors more than usual, we’re talking about wellness design for interiors.

Wellness is much more than just going to a spa or doing yoga, it’s a movement that values a whole spectrum of healthy lifestyle choices, from exercise, fitness, and nutrition to living in balance, developing healthy social connections, emphasizing relaxation and joyful experiences, and valuing mindfulness and slower living. It also means creating and living in spaces that nourish our mind and body. Here are a few concepts to get started.

Biophilic Design

An indoor-outdoor room, with a step-down pool and tall plants at the back, then a concrete flooring that runs into the indoor area, with a rattan lounge chair, wooden side table, and a floor lamp in front of thick tan curtains. A rug peeks from beneath a table and bench at the right, cut off from full view. — *Image courtesy Taylor Simpson on Unsplash*

Biophilia means that people have an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and life, an inherent human connection to the natural world. Biophilic design harnesses this affinity to create more natural environments in which to live, work, and play. Designs that connect us to nature are proven by research to inspire, boost our productivity and contribute to better overall wellbeing.

A narrow hospital room is transformed by painting the walls off-white and lilac, adding window dressings, on the right wall is a full-height and full-length mural showing a lake and red flowers and greenery. A moveable chest of drawers in coordinating lilac is dressed with fresh white flowers. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

In my design work, I frequently bring the outdoors in and create indoor environments that reference nature. A few years ago I donated my services to redesign this chemotherapy treatment room at Marin Cancer Care hospital.

At bottom a bright blue console table supports a bronze lamp, silver bowl, and fresh fronds in a low vase, while above on the wall hangs a natural driftwood sculpture with airplants and moss. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

This mid-century living room is made more inviting by a driftwood sculptural wall feature with air plants and moss, softening the hard edges of modern design styles.

Color Design

A condo's living room features a white ceiling and walls next to a full-height window wall, and an inset feature wallpaper in a grey floral pattern. In front of that, at the left of the image, is a grey sofa dressed with multiple purple and yellow throw pillows plus a yellow blanket hanging over the closest arm, with two grey table lamps atop side tables either end of the sofa. A pair of small coffee tables sit atop a brightly colored huge azalea area rug in purple, pink, lilac, and grey, with a pair of yellow slipper chairs at the back, in front of the window wall. Light is streaming in. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Color has a strong influence on the mood of a room and how it makes you feel. Lighter colors are considered to be airy and make rooms feel larger and brighter by bouncing light around. Darker colors are more formal, feeling intimate. Neutrals of black, gray, white and brown can be used on their own, or to establish a balance when combined with active or passive colors.

A guest bedroom in shades of tangerine, including the walls, the triple artwork hung above the bed, tan curtains in a slightly darker orange pattern reveal a window at the right. On the wood flooring is a white lattice patterned rug with an orange field color, and two different side tables hold a small orange lamp and a vase of fresh flowers, either side of the bed, which is dressed with layers of tan, brown, grey, white and red-patterned pillows, atop crisp white linens, a tan comforter and an orange blanket on top. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Active colors like orange, yellow and pink are bright and excite the mind, boosting creativity, while red is known to stimulate the appetite. Passive colors like blue and green are cool, calming the mind and aiding mental focus and relaxation. Colors should be customized to your own personal tastes.

A high-rise condo's living room shows two window walls meeting at a corner with a view of the city at the rear, and track lighting above. In front, a red sofa with yellow and blue throw pillows, a pair of yellow modern chairs, a pair of yellow and grey patterned tub chairs, surround a glass coffee table with two red poufs nearby. All sit atop a large black rug with white radial lines emanating from one end. A dining table peeks from the right side, surrounded by red modern dining chairs. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Make sure your colors also coordinate with each other, so that you aren’t disturbed by moving between spaces, and are pleased when viewing spaces in the same line of sight together. A good designer will take all these things into consideration when creating your home’s interiors.

Lighting Design

A light and bright farmhouse kitchen features white cabinetry and silver drawer pulls and handles, grey countertops, and white and light tan tiling. A metal pendant light hangs at the center, above penny floor tiles that meet warm wood in the dining area. To the left, a wooden butcher block surface is built-in to the counter, with a wooden-seat metal counter seat. Light streams in from a window at the far right, with a hint of tan curtain pulled to the side, and a tan wall paint with white trim below. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Light is one of the most important elements in home design. Living spaces designed around natural light sources, smart lighting systems to better match the natural rhythms of our bodies, and artificial lighting that mimics daylight are all ways to address our need for appropriate interior light.

A traditional living and dining space in a high-rise condo, with a huge expanse of windows at the back, showing a city skyline. Multiple brown leather chairs and loveseats with throw pillows surround a glass and metal oval coffee table on top of a red-patterned oriental rug. To the right, a dining area is dressed with flowers and food and drink. Light streams in from the windows, hitting the blond wood flooring. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Natural daylight provides a tremendous health and wellness boost, improving productivity, alertness, and even mood. We need vitamin D from natural daylight to absorb calcium and other minerals in food. Daylight inhibits the production of melatonin, which ensures that we get tired when it’s dark outside, while cortisol does the opposite, making us alert and focused, triggered by daylight. Getting the balance right is key to enjoying your home.

Kimball Starr Interior Design can create a healthy and beautiful home environment just for you – Contact her today for a consultation!

Labels: color, green design, healthy interiors, light, lighting, lighting design, nature, outdoor spaces, paint colors, plants, wellness design

Art Brings Interiors to Life

Mar 23, 2020 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

living room corner in a modern bachelor's condo, showing an unusual lamp in blue glass with brass metal fixture, next to a large oil painting of a landscape. In front of the painting on the floor sits a white dried tree branch, which draws your eye down to the red rug in front of a pale pink sofa just visible at the front left of the image. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Art can completely change the feeling of an interior. It’s often one of the final steps in completing a re-design or new room, but a good designer starts planning for artwork in the space long before final touches. Here are a few examples from spaces designed for my clients, such as the retro-modern bachelor pad above, elevated by an oil painting in the living area.

A petite living room showing a grey corner sofa with tan and light blue pillows piled at the corners. Above the sofa on the rear wall are 3 different pieces of art, one very large, one a photo in black and white, and one is a double row of small photos side-by-side. On the joining wall, two more smaller framed images are hung. In front of the sofa is a wooden coffee table and underneath is a blue, brown and grey patterned rug that matches the throw pillows. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

In this San Francisco condo of less than 600 feet overall, there are multiple scales of artwork on display, creating interest in this petite living room, while not overwhelming the space. View the larger images from across the room, while the smaller images draw you in for closer inspection.

A living room vignette, showing a grey mid-century modern sofa with 5 multi-colored and multi-patterned throw pillows scattered across it. In front is a glass Noguchi-style coffee table, and behind the sofa are two yellow glass table lamps. Just above the sofa on the wall is a colorful photo printed on canvas of Yosemite Half-Dome. — Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

The owners of this comfortable mid-century apartment met and fell in love at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, so it’s a lovely reminder of the start of their relationship to feature the iconic landscape above their sofa. Plus I tied in the colors from the photo to the bright colors in their throw pillows.

A contemporary condo's walls are clad in knotty cedar wood in this open-plan living-dining area, accented with white ceiling, and white fireplace surround in the living space. Above the fireplace is a canvas of black and white art, with a matching canvas hung on the wall behind the dining table, just visible at the far left of the image, partially out of view. In front of the fireplace sits a grey wooly rug with a mid-century modern stool with white tufted upholstery, ready to help you stoke the fire. A tiered glass chandelier hangs above the dining table and chairs. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer*

In this contemporary open-plan living and dining room, you can see the relationship between the artwork above the custom-designed fireplace and the artwork on the back dining wall, behind the chandelier. Considering how art will appear from every viewing angle is an important part of designing for the whole space.

A contemporary condo's walls are clad in knotty cedar wood and accented with a white ceiling. A black and white canvas hangs on the wall behind the dining table, topped in white on dark twisty legs. Four modern slim leather chairs in a grey-blue surround the table. A tiered glass chandelier hangs above, ready to fill in when the light streaming in the sliding glass door at the right of the space is unavailable. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer*

Kimball Starr can design YOUR space to highlight a cherished artwork, or help you find something new that’s exactly right. Contact her today for a consultation!

Labels: art, artwork, color, contemporary interior design, modern style

A-Dooring Color

Mar 09, 2020 | Posted in Trends |

A relaxing bedroom with beige walls, grey and yellow toned pillows, blankets, rug, and bed head/footboard are complimented by a dark painted door with white trim. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Recently I’ve been seeing more of a design trend that I’ve used myself – painting an interior door a different color from the surrounding trim. Here’s why this trend is becoming even more popular.

View down a hallway under an arched room separation, with white painted ceiling and doors and door trim, with the exception of the front door at the end, painted a robin's egg green-blue. A rug running along the hall echoes the door color and adds orange, yellow, and grey. — *Image courtesy lindabrownell.com*

It’s easy! Painting a single door a different color takes less time and costs less than painting an entire room, or even a feature wall.

A side-by-side before and after comparison, showing white doors with white trim and green wall color on the left. On the right, the same green wall color and white trim, but now black doors. — *Image courtesy balela.info*

Painting a door can have just as much of a dramatic impact as a feature wall, depending on the color you choose. Black, green, blue, or even red can provide a striking contrast to a more muted trim and wall color.

Photo of a Weimaraner dog seated in a sunbeam, in front of a turquoise-blue colored door with white trim. — *Image courtesy itsjustmort via Instagram.com*

You can experiment with color. If you don’t like a black door or prefer a brighter color, change it!

Photo of a hallway with dark wood flooring, light grey-colored walls, white trim, and two black doors either side of the hallway. At the end, the main front door is a robin's egg blue-green. — *Image courtesy craftedbythehunts via Instagram.com*

Try multiple door colors within the same space for even more wow factor.

Photo of a relaxing bedroom with beige walls, grey and yellow toned pillows, blankets, rug, and bed head/footboard. Dark curtains with a yellow band near the floor create a sumptuous look, complimented by the dark painted door with white trim. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Kimball Starr designs beautiful, stylish homes throughout Northern California and Nevada. Contact her today for a consultation!

Labels: color, doors, paint colors, trends

Hygge Design

Feb 24, 2020 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

When the winter months arrive, I just want to wrap up in a warm blanket and get cozy with some friends. There’s a Danish word for that, and so much more: Hygge, pronounced hyoo-gah, sounds nothing like how it looks, in English!

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word describing a mood of coziness and conviviality, along with feelings of wellness and contentment. And of course, there’s a whole design style centered around facilitating those feelings. Here are some ways you can welcome hygge into your home.

Create a Cozy Space

A light blue patterned custom chaise lounge with arms sits atop a very hygge sheepskin rug in front of a large window without draperies or window coverings of any kind, revealing the Craftsman design and warm wood trim, and green trees outside. On the chaise, three pillows are layered, with a tan blanket over the end of the chaise, and a book open. To the right of the chaise as we face it, a small triple-legged table sits, with a white marble top and flowers in a low vase, plus a decorative globe, perfect for resting a warm drink. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

You can never have too many pillows! Have a blanket ready for a snuggle, too. I designed a custom-made chaise lounge for this reading nook with plenty of hygge touches, like a sheepskin rug.

Light Flameless Candles

Three wax pillar candles in different heights, two in an oval container to protect the surface they rest upon, the third on a reflective grey countertop. All three candles are flameless, with lit faux flames peeking out at the top. — *Image courtesy West Elm*

Nothing creates a mood like candlelight. In hygge, more is better, when it comes to candles. Flameless candles with flickering effects are perfect, and decrease the negative effects of burning real ones. Brighten the long nights with an amber flameless candlelit glow, and you’re sure to feel the hygge in your space.

Gather ‘Round the Fireplace

Photo of a contemporary fireplace, surrounded by a knotty cedar wood slatted cabin interior, with tan wood flooring. The fireplace is light grey in finish, without a mantle. Artwork is hung above the fireplace, and two vases sit on the fire surround, finished in black. In front of the fire sits a small grey upholstered round stool with brown wood legs in the Scandanavian style, atop a wooly grey rug. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer*

A simple yet elegant design with lots of hygge style! I custom-created this contemporary fireplace and surround to contrast with the warm, knotty cedar wood wall construction, and personalized with art and pottery. The stool and rug are perfect for getting the fire started on a chilly night.

Feed Your Friends

Surrounding a dark wood pedestal dining table, sit four yellow velvet upholstered dining chairs with buttons, and a wavy yellow and gold pattern on the backs. Dark cherry wood flooring is banded by a lighter blond wood at the edges of the room. Behind the dining table is a corner with windows on either side. Above the dining table hangs a round metal pendant light with multiple Edison lightbulbs. On the table are small plates with mugs and fruit, with yellow striped fabric napkins. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

Invite your friends and family around for fun activities to keep the cold at bay. Bake bread or decorate cookies together; offer hot cocoa and cider or tea and nibbles to visitors. The velvet chairs I selected for this Bay Area condo’s dining space provide a feeling of being hugged while talking and eating, the very essence of hygge.

Close up of a black short mug with strawberries on a white china plate. In front of that, a yellow fabric napkin is gently crumpled. In the back, out of focus, is the button-tufted upholstery of the yellow velvet chair. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

If you want more hygge in your home, Kimball Starr designs comfortable, cozy homes through Northern California and Nevada. Contact her today for a consultation!

Labels: chaise lounge, contemporary dining room, contemporary interior design, dining room, fireplace, hygge design, lighting, living room, pillows, reading nook, Scandanavian style, windows

Bedrooms for Romance & Relaxation

Feb 10, 2020 | Posted in Inspirations |

Detail of a feminine bedroom, with light-colored walls and wood flooring. The white bedside table has 3 drawers with gold ring pulls for handles. A bright yellow bubble lamp and shade sits atop the table, to the left of a partial view of a pink upholstered padded headboard with crisp white sheets and a yellow patterned throw pillow. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Your bedroom is a key part of your life, the place where you restore your health with a good night’s sleep, and where romantic encounters happen. With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s a great time to revamp your most important space for romance and rejuvenation. I pull back the curtain on a few of my best bedroom designs, to inspire you.

Intimate Hillside Retreat

Photo of a luxurious contemporary bedroom. The bed is upholstered in a grey padded microfiber material, soft to the touch. Three white pillows are behind another layer of yellow patterned pillows, behind another layer of white and yellow and silver patterned throw pillows. A yellow and silver floral bedspread tones with the yellow floral lampshades and white bubble lamps either side of the bed, sitting atop yellow lacquered bedside tables. The entire bed rests on a grey and yellow geometrically-patterned rug, with warm reddish wood flooring underneath. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Nestled into a hillside, this four-story home boasts breathtaking views of downtown San Francisco. Contemporary design, color, and character welcome the owners and their guests.

Another view of the luxurious contemporary bedroom. On the right, a dark floor-length curtain with a gold band detail near the bottom. Straight ahead, you see a dark wood dresser, with candles, a framed photo, and two white vases of flowers on top. Above that, hung on the wall, are two rounded-top mirrors, side by side. To the left, a dark brown door with white trim. Further to the left, the bed is upholstered in a grey padded microfiber material, soft to the touch. White pillows behind another layer of yellow patterned pillows, behind another layer of white and yellow and silver patterned throw pillows. A yellow and silver floral bedspread tones with the yellow floral lampshade and white bubble lamp, sitting atop a yellow lacquered bedside table. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

In the master suite, a chic array of vintage patterns, warm colors, and low lighting create an intimate retreat to enjoy with a loved one. Clean lines in furniture design make it easy to relax in the space.

Closeup of two white leather upholstered Barcelona chairs with silver metal frames, sitting atop a grey and yellow geometrically patterned rug. At the back left, you see part of a floor-length dark curtain, with a yellow band of fabric about a foot above the floor. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

White leather lounge chairs and daffodil-yellow lacquer nightstands brighten the mornings, while dramatic draperies dip the room in darkness for a restful night. I can’t decide whether my favorite finishing touch is the gold detailing on the window treatment or the floral lampshades!

Relaxing, Restful Colors

View of a bedroom painted in a light grey, with floating brown wood shelves as bedside table, 2 pendant lamps suspended from the ceiling, a dark upholstered headboard with crisp white sheets and pillows, layered with silver, grey, and blueish throw pillows, with a paisley blanket in the same colors. On the wall are multiple gold and silver elephant-ear palm leaves. To the left, you can see down a long open hallway. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

While the rest of this Bay Area condo is filled with bright colors, the master bedroom tones down the shades to cooler, calmer hues, perfect for relaxing and sleep. Floating walls without doors separate the office and master bedroom from the living area.

Another angle of the bedroom painted in light grey, with floating brown wood shelves as bedside table, 2 pendant lamps suspended from the ceiling, a dark upholstered headboard with crisp white sheets and pillows, layered with silver, grey, and blueish throw pillows, with a brown blanket layered under a paisley comforter in the same colors as the throw pillows. On the wall are multiple metallic gold and silver elephant-ear palm leaves. To the far left you see a floor-to-ceiling window, obscured for privacy. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

Metallic textiles and wall hangings create interest, even in a calm space. Suspended bedside pendant lamps provide dramatic lighting while leaving the floating shelf-as-nightstand uncluttered. Reducing the number of items within view helps to prepare for a restful slumber.

Gentleman’s Love of Travel

A large open spaced bedroom, with a huge Union Jack flag rug underneath a dark brown padded upholstered bed with white sheets, layered with white, grey, blue, and graphic pillows. White bedside tables have 2 drawers each, with bowling pin lamps and white shades. Behind the bed is a wall of bright red curtain. To the left is a window with slatted blinds in white, with white trim. The walls are painted a denim blue. Warm reddish wood flooring underneath the rug. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

The owner of this colorful bedroom loves to travel. We set the color palette with a Union Jack rug, which is a London nod to his favorite destination. Bright red also fans the flames of a passionate evening together.

Closeup view of the bedroom. To the left, a dark brown padded upholstered bed with white sheets, layered with white, grey, and blue pillows. A white bedside table, 2 drawers, with a bowling pin lamp and white shade, next to that, a glass vase with fresh flowers. Behind the bed hangs a bright red curtain with wavy blue pinstripes. Warm reddish wood flooring is underneath the Union Jack flag rug. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

Dramatic wavy pinstripe drapery softens the walls, while the ink blue leather bed and silver bowling pin lamps complete the distinguished interior. We dressed the bed with comfy pillows, to dream of visiting London again – maybe for a romantic getaway?

Closeup view of the bed and pillows. You see a dark padded upholstered bed with gold nailhead trim, white sheets, layered with white, grey textured, and blue-and-white-pinstripe pillows. Behind the bed hangs a bright red curtain with wavy blue pinstripes. At the very front is a pillow featuring images of London - a bus, the Parliament clock tower, and a red phone booth, with the word London at the bottom. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Marija Vidal*

If you dream of a master bedroom that fulfills all your desires, Kimball Starr can make that dream come true! Contact her today!

Labels: bedroom, color, lampshade, lighting, pendant lights

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