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

Ingo Maurer Lighting Designer

Jan 27, 2020 | Posted in Inspirations |

Near the end of 2019, a legendary lighting designer, Ingo Maurer, passed away. He left behind a huge body of inspiring work, and today I’m sharing a few of his ideas.

Photo of the famous lighting designer Ingo Maurer with shoulder-length hair, wearing a pair of sunglasses with lit lightbulbs coming out of the lenses. His head is turned up towards the sky. — *Ingo Maurer / Image courtesy DesignerBox.com*

Ingo Maurer’s passion for light began in the mid 1960s, birthed from some of his earliest memories of fishing with his father, seeing the reflection of light dance with the water. Over 50 years, Maurer developed an outstanding career, with exhibitions in museums all over the world, commissions from international clients and brands, and a firm employing nearly 80 people.

Maurer’s work displays a love for light, the films and artists that inspired him, and a commitment to not making compromises. There is no one who creates lights as unique as Ingo Maurer.

Photo of a pendant light created by a number of wire rods emanating out from the lighting fixture. On each rod is a piece of paper, some with writing on them, so that it looks like a giant round push-pin board of notes. Underneath is a red chair sitting behind a surface so that only the top rail is visible, and on the surface is a set of white dishes, a stack of black bowls, and some red cutlery. — *Zettelz 6 Suspension Light by Ingo Maurer / Image courtesy YLighting.com*

Zettelz 6 Suspension Light from Ingo Maurer is meant to have the owner participate in its final look. Japanese paper sheets suspended from stainless steel rods are inserted into the central housing. The placement of the rods is up to the user, resulting in each piece being totally unique. Printed and blank paper sheets are included, for personalization.

Lightbulbs seem to fly away from their wired centerpiece in the chandelier, each with a small pair of white wings attached at the base of the bulbs. — *Birdie by Ingo Maurer / Image courtesy Mohd.com*

Birdie by Ingo Maurer is created by wings in real goose feather-wrapped bulbs. The line includes table lamps, pendants, wall lights; all free to fly in the imagination of design. LED technology combines with creativity, and the result is a beautiful winged collection.

A can of Campbell's Tomato Soup is suspended by a spring above a table where a bowl of piping hot soup and a spoon await, steam rising in the light of the pendant lamp emanating from the bottom of the can. The entire background of the image has a deep blue color. The can of soup is reminiscent of a famous pop-art piece by Andy Warhol. — *Ingo Maurer Canned Light by Christoph Matthias & Hagen Sczech / Image courtesy Lumens.com*

The Ingo Maurer Canned Light puts a different spin on Andy Warhol-inspired pop art; it actually appears to “pop” from the wall or ceiling from its spring-like top. This contemporary design by Christoph Matthias and Hagen Sczech for Ingo Maurer will likely be around as long as Warhol’s original.

The bulb-inside-a-bulb design -- of a hand-blown crystal glass shade and polished chromium base -- is matched inside by a top-chromated incandescent bulb. The entire table lamp is shown against a solid black background. — *Ingo Maurer Table Lamp / Image courtesy Lumens.com*

Ingo Maurer’s first-ever lamp design, conceived in 1966. The Ingo Maurer Bulb Table Lamp shows just how far back Maurer’s appreciation of the form and function of the incandescent bulb goes. The bulb-inside-a-bulb design — of a hand-blown crystal glass shade and polished chromium base — is matched inside by a top-chromated incandescent bulb.

Three handmade shades are suspended one above the other by thin metal cables, while a single red iron ring provides a pop of color above. The paper shades of this pendant light called Floatation are crinkled, casting soft light over a dark dining table appearing to float in midair, with a white chair also floating behind, and a vase with a single rose, floating above the tabletop. Light is cast into the room from an open doorway at the back left of the image, creating interesting shadows across the floating pieces and the concrete flooring. — *Floatation Suspension Light by Ingo Maurer / Image courtesy YLighting.com*

Floatation is a suspension light made from Japanese paper shades for ambient illumination. Three handmade shades are suspended by thin metal cables, while a red iron ring provides a pop of color. The paper shades of Floatation are crinkled, an intended design attribute, casting soft light over a dining table or living space.

Two images, one longer one above the other. The top image shows a light fixture on a single wire with the power cable snaking around it. Ten Campari red soda bottles are suspended by multiple wires attached to the central cable. In the bottom image, a top-down view of the light fixture allows you to see the bottle caps saying Campari Soda, and a clear plastic cone-shaped top piece. Red light is cast upon a white wall behind. Eight additional bottles of soda are on the table below, out of focus. — *Campari Light by Ingo Maurer / Image courtesy 1001lights.com*

The Ingo Maurer Campari Light shows how innovative and creative luminaires can be. Ten original Campari soda bottles, still filled with the classic soda, are combined into one extraordinary ensemble, wrapping the room in a fascinating red. Down the center of the bottles, a transparent plastic body holds the light fixture, under a transparent canopy. All the bottles are removable, and the luminaire is height-adjustable with a Campari crown cap at the top. What a marvelous way to look at light!

Do you want to feature stunning lighting design in YOUR home? Contact Kimball Starr today for a consultation. She designs beautiful homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and Nevada.

Labels: art, contemporary interior design, inspiration, lighting, lighting design, modern style

Pantone Color of the Year 2020

Jan 13, 2020 | Posted in Trends |

Pantone recently announced their annual Color of the Year – Classic Blue.

Image of the 2020 Color of the Year by Pantone: Classic Blue #19-4052, with outlines of two people standing in the distance, their reflections showing in water below. — *Image courtesy Pantone.com*

From their website, “Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

Because Classic Blue is, well, classic, I’ve worked with this dependable color multiple times. One of my favorite projects was for a retired couple in San Francisco who wanted to bring the colors of their favorite travel destination of Guatemala into their home.

Close-up image of a bedroom, showing at the left, part of a bed with blue velvet headboard, white sheets, and blue pillow with multi-colored tassels, which echoes the multi-colored tassels on the blanket covering the bed. Above the headboard is a quilt made of many multi-colored and textured rectangles of fabric, sewn together. To the right, a light-colored bedside table with a single drawer hold two books underneath in an open space, and on top, a glass table lamp is topped by an off-white lampshade. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

In the master bedroom, we used the client’s own material to create a statement piece above the bed. The headboard, bed and footboard is upholstered in Classic Blue velvet. The bed is draped in a custom-sewn blanket of Classic Blue with brightly-colored tassels, while atop the nightstands sit beautiful glass lamps. At the foot of the bed is a bench, also custom-upholstered in the client’s own material from Guatemala.

Image of a bedroom with sliding glass doors to the far left, showing a bed with blue velvet headboard, white sheets, and a blue throw pillow with multi-colored tassels flanked by two off-white throw pillows, echoing the multi-colored tassels on the blanket covering the bed. Above the headboard is a quilt made of many multi-colored and textured rectangles of fabric, sewn together. To either side, light-colored bedside tables with a single drawer each hold books underneath in an open space, and on top, glass table lamps are topped by an off-white lampshade. At the foot of the bed, the patchwork quilt material is repeated as custom upholstered fabric. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer*

In the guest bedroom, extensive custom cabinetry in Classic Blue allows for dual use as a home office. The wall bed cabinetry color is echoed by Classic Blue filing and storage drawers.

Three views of a guest bedroom/home office design. All three images show the space with a custom-made desk in classic blue and white, filing drawers also in blue and white, plus a computer & white chair facing two large windows. On the right is custom cabinetry with open shelving and more drawers. In the center of the right wall is a large blue custom cabinet that contains a wall-bed also known as a Murphy bed. The bottom image shows the bed partly coming down, while the center image shows a custom fold-down white desk that is hidden within the classic blue wall bed cabinetry when closed. — *Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Eric Rorer*

I look forward to seeing all the ways Classic Blue will appear in 2020 interiors!

If you have a project you want to incorporate Pantone’s color of this year or any year, Kimball Starr can guide your color journey! Contact her today for a consultation.

Labels: bedroom, color, custom cabinetry, custom furniture, guest bedroom, home office, home office designs, lighting

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