Windows have been called the eyes of a home, allowing in natural light and framing the beauty of the outdoors. They also play a vital role in regulating light and energy efficiency, and providing privacy. This is where window dressings come in – the stylish finishing touch that complements your home’s design (or your home office!) and caters to your lifestyle needs.
Navigating the world of curtains, blinds, shades, and shutters can be overwhelming. With many years as an interior designer, my experience will help you understand the different options and ask the right questions to find the perfect window dressings for you.
Design by Kimball Starr / photo by Eric Rorer
Match Style with Function
The first step is to consider your home’s design aesthetic and how you’ll be using each room. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What is the overall style of your home or home office? Traditional, modern, minimalist, or eclectic? Window treatments should add to and match this style. For example, Roman blinds provide a crisp, clean look for modern rooms, while long, flowing drapes enhance a traditional space.
How much natural light do you want? Sheer curtains diffuse light beautifully, while blackout shades offer complete darkness for bedrooms or places where light bounce is unwanted. There are many levels in between as well.
Do you need privacy? If your windows face close neighbors, consider opaque curtains or blinds with adjustable slats, or even etched window coverings.
How much insulation is required? Cellular shades trap air pockets for insulation, while heavier curtains can help regulate room temperatures.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Types of Window Dressings
Now that you have a better understanding of your needs, let’s explore some popular window dressing options:
Curtains & Drapes: These offer a classic, elegant look, with excellent light control and privacy.
Blinds: Available in various materials like wood, bamboo, and fabric, blinds offer easy light adjustment and a clean aesthetic.
Roman Shades: These fabric shades fold neatly as they rise, creating a modern, minimalistic look.
Solar Shades: Specialized shades that block UV rays while maintaining a view of the outdoors, perfect for sun-drenched, south-facing or west-facing rooms.
Shutters: Offering timeless elegance and superior insulation, shutters are a great choice for traditional or coastal homes, and can help protect against storms.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by client
Questions for Your Interior Design Pro
What type of window dressing would create visual balance in the room, considering the scale and proportion of the windows?
Are there any functional considerations specific to the use of a particular room, like moisture resistance in bathrooms or blackout capabilities in bedrooms?
What color and material selections would best complement the existing furniture and décor? Or are you wanting to replace that along with adding window dressings?
Are there motorized options available for ease of use, especially for hard-to-reach windows?
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Steph Dewey
The Perfect Match: Bringing it All Together
By understanding your design preferences and lifestyle needs, you can select window dressings that elevate your home’s aesthetics and functionality. Remember, these choices are not just about style; they play a vital role in creating a comfortable and welcoming living space. Don’t hesitate to experiment with patterns, textures, and functionality to find the perfect match for your windows and your unique home.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Kimball Starr designs for inviting homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
If you’re a fan of kitchens and baths, by now you’ve seen the standard subway tile, or modern vertical tiles, or even the classic herringbone pattern that never goes out of style. But have you considered these tile patterns?
Mismatched Geometric Tiles
Photo courtesy Poulsom Middlehurst Ltd.
These black and white Scandinavian floor tiles encourage experiments with forms.
Photo courtesy Erica Gelman Design Inc.
Carrara Thassos Hexagon Water Jet Cut Marble Mosaic tile is featured in the shower niche, harmonizing with but not matching the floor tiles.
Contemporary Floor Patterns
Design by Kimball Starr, photo by Steph Dewey
Here a contemporary floor pattern tones with rounded bathroom fixtures and a black shower niche, while contrasting the white toilet, walls, and ceiling. Black and white as the only colors allows the floor pattern to really stand out.
Design and photo by Kimball Starr
In contrast to simple white and grey wall tiles, see how black, white, grey, tan, and yellow patterned floor tiles create interest in this unfinished San Francisco child’s bathroom. The shower surround has yet to be installed.
Rounded Tiles
Design by Kimball Starr, photo by Steph Dewey
Two types of contrasting modern rounded tiles create interest in this newly-redesigned fireplace for my San Francisco condo client.
Photo courtesy Jatana Tile
Rounded reproduction tiles such as these pink cantaloupe-colored Mexican scallops replicate an old world feeling to create atmosphere and charm, enhance the character of an old apartment block, add elegance to a modern condo, instill mood and a touch of mystery to a dimly lit bar, or create instant impact on a feature wall.
Kimball Starr designs for inviting homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
Where can you go, when you need to escape the outside world into a personal oasis? Here are some ideas from around the web for creating an oasis in your home.
Generative AI image courtesy Adobestock
Bring the outdoors in with wood, plants, and natural textures.
Photo courtesy DIYversify.com
Scents and tastes: A simple wooden board holds your drink.
Design by Decorilla designer Ibrahim
Soak with a view: A metal freestanding tub reflects the patterned floor.
Photo courtesy VizPixStudio
Creating a journey, the trek to the outdoor shower.
Photo courtesy Kindesign
A temple as bathroom oasis.
Kimball Starr designs for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe that could contain a private oasis. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
So you’re buying, inheriting, or rehabbing a vacation home, and you’d like to make it your own. As a designer of many years and many homes, read on for my top tips on key questions to ask yourself to create the vacation home of your dreams.
Vision and Functionality
Photo courtesy TahoeRealty.com
What is the feeling you want for your vacation home? Relaxing? Fun and playful? Luxurious? Consider gathering keywords or inspirational photos onto a mood board to help guide your choices.
Who will use your vacation home? Just you and your partner? Extended family? Multigenerational groups? Will you AirBnB or VRBO when you’re not there? Factor in age ranges and accessibility needs.
How often will you be using it? Weekend getaways or longer stays will influence furniture and fabric choices for durability.
What activities will you do there? Entertaining? Cooking elaborate meals? Relaxing by the pool reading a book? Design the space to support these activities.
How much maintenance are you comfortable with? Leather furniture looks good, but is it ideal if the house is empty much of the year, or being rented out?
Budget and Logistics
Photo courtesy TahoeRealty.com
Have you set a realistic budget for the entire project? This includes designer fees, furniture, decor, and any potential renovations.
Are there existing pieces of furniture or decor you want to incorporate?Tell me about these so I can integrate them into your design.
How long is the project timeline? Influenced by the designer’s availability, lead time for furniture, and any potential construction. This is something I can really help with, because I’m knowledgeable about lead times, and I often have relationships that can help move the process along.
Will you be managing the project remotely or locally? If remote, discuss how the designer will handle communication and onsite needs. I’m available to meet remotely or socially distanced, in person.
Location and Sustainability
Photo courtesy TahoeRealty.com
What is the climate at your vacation home? This affects material choices for furniture, flooring, and window treatments.
Does the location have any design considerations? Beachfront property might need rust-resistant furniture or special flooring, for example.
Are there local artisans or sustainable materials you’d like to incorporate? Supporting local businesses and eco-friendly choices can enhance your vacation home’s character.
By reflecting on these questions before meeting with an interior designer, you’ll have a clearer vision for your dream vacation home and a smoother collaboration with your pro.
Kimball Starr designs for first and second homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
You’ve finally gathered together all your family portraits and memory photos, and you want to create a gorgeous, luxe photo wall display. Here are my top designer tips:
#1 – Freeform Thin Black Frames
Image courtesy DigsDigs
Select all black and white images. Use the same frame color and frame width, without matting. Loosely line up your frames and photos in a pleasing layout.
#2 – Wood Frames in a Corner
Photo courtesy Brooke Wagner Design
Stagger and align your wood-framed black and white images images with same-size white matting along two walls in a corner for easy viewing of a larger collection.
#3 – Gold Frames, Aligned
Photo courtesy DigsDigs
Use the same size white mat for all your images. Gold frames really make the black and white prints pop and a pleasing rhythm is created by keeping the same number in each row, creating a grid.
#4 – Picture Ledge
Photo courtesy DigsDigs
Mismatched frames on several ledges create a casual display that’s easy to change up. Add small plants or collectibles for additional interest.
#5 – Stairway Stagger
Huge, oversized white matting inside identical black frames make these staggered images going up the stairs draw you through the space. The huge matts have a gallery feel, drawing you in closer to see the art.
#6 – Aligned Edges
Image courtesy Lumas
Line up all your frames by one edge to unify them. You can also create an aligned grid for even more interest.
Image courtesy Lumas
Kimball Starr designs for artistic homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
We couldn’t be prouder to share that we’re a multi-award winner on Houzz this year, jumping from 10 to 12 in 2024!
Awards and badges courtesy Houzz.com
Houzz is the well-known social media focused on interior design, connecting designers with clients. They separate categories into Houzz Design and Houzz Service. We won in BOTH categories for 2024 – how about that?!
The project featured in the Houzz winner’s spread is our Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Design:
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer / Layout by HouzzDesign by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
To win in the service category, you must have at least one five-star review for the year. Humblebrag: ALL 28 of ours are five-star reviews!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
If you want to be part of the winners’ circle, come work with me on your next remodel or interior design project.
Kimball Starr designs for award-winning homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.