Jun 18, 2018 | Posted in Trends |
People expect to get more bang for their buck these days, especially in California. With our temperate climate, extended seasons, and a booming economy, we have every reason to want to spend more time in our outdoor spaces. Here are 3 of the hottest trends under the California sun!
Photo courtesy Nana Wall via Houzz.com
1. Folding Walls and Windows
Who wouldn’t want to create more usable space in their home, without moving or building an extension? One of the easiest ways to add both space and functionality is to install a folding wall, sliding window or pivoting door system onto a room that borders a patio, deck, terrace or garden. Old-school overhead garage doors have disappeared, in favor of high-tech moveable accordion wall-and-window systems like those from Nana Wall or Panoramic Doors & Windows.
Photo courtesy NanaWall.com
Aesthetically pleasing in their design, opt for a partial wall or enjoy full exposure with a relatively short stack (the amount of space taken up when folded), and any combination of doors, walls and windows that you can imagine. Choose from wood or metal framing with many finishes to complement your existing architectural features. They’re lightweight; even a smaller person can operate them solo. And with electric privacy blinds, activated at the push of a button to allow as much or as little light in as you desire, you avoid fussy drapes or the dreaded vertical blinds. If you prefer, fully enclosed blinds give you complete control without the need for constant cleaning like with traditional blinds. Truly a joy to own!
Photo courtesy Daylilydonna.com
2. Outdoor Cooking and Dining
Almost any room in your house can be recreated for outdoor use – the most popular being outdoor kitchens and dining spaces, for alfresco meals with friends and family. Not just confined to a standard BBQ, outdoor kitchens now combine the latest in high-tech appliances in a stainless steel finish that withstands the elements, plus all the joys of entertaining while you cook in fresh air and sunshine. Some folks opt for a full kitchen with sink, mini-fridge, possibly a separate wine chiller, and oven in their outdoor space, while others are fine keeping most of the kitchen indoors, instead featuring a covered dining area and pass-through to make serving a breeze. Another trendy outdoor cooking option is a pizza oven! Kids of all ages will enjoy a stone-heated slice of pizza pie, right in their own back yard.
Photo of Blackburn Office Studio Courtesy Tom Ross via Houzz.com
3. Backyard Sheds and Tiny Houses as Home Offices and Studios
Remember when a shed was just for storing your dad’s lawn and yard care equipment? Maybe some sports gear and old collectibles? Those days of yore are gone forever, with the latest updated sheds and tiny houses. You won’t believe the modern activities you can fit into a very small space: A home office for a busy CPA who needs to escape the family noise, a beautiful studio for an artist to draw, paint, and sculpt, or a place to stretch, dance and work-out for the health enthusiast and yoga practitioner. Tiny houses are so popular that you can often rent them for a night to find out what all the fuss is about. Many are on wheels, to relocate to any amazing views your heart desires, or to your in-law’s back yard, when the holidays stretch the main house to bursting.
So now you know what the top outdoor living trends are in California. Which one inspires you to make a change?
Kimball Starr designs outdoor spaces for families and couples in the California and Nevada area. Let her take your backyard from boring to beautiful with a personalized consultation!
Labels: backyard living, contemporary, countertops, dining room, folding walls & windows, home office, kitchen, modern design, outdoor, shed, studio, tiny house
Jun 04, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
June brings with it a change of season and change in life: Students graduating out into the world, leaving their former homes behind. But what about those parents who are now “empty nesters”? This is a great opportunity to reconsider priorities and resources, especially if you’re nearing retirement or want to travel. It’s time to graduate to a downsized home, one that will provide many more years of joy.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
In our last blog, we met the owners of a downtown 2-bedroom condo located steps from the San Francisco waterfront. The clients are a retired couple moving from the suburbs to the city for a more urban and active nightlife, wanting a space that reflects their modern aesthetic with the vibrancy of colors from their vacation home in Antigua, Guatemala. They were lucky to meet each other in their golden years and decide to embark on a new adventure together. Combining and reducing their possessions is key to achieving this focus.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
A major aspect of their project is the need for beautiful and effective storage. I addressed this by creating custom cabinetry to display their gorgeous collectibles and books, house their multimedia electronics, and conceal everyday items such as office supplies. This coordinates beautifully with a modern classic Eero Saarinen oval dining table by Knoll, and B&B Italia dining chairs, visible in open plan living.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Eric Rorer
When downsizing, one of the simplest ways to gain more space is to have your rooms perform double-duty. Our couple wants to keep their second bedroom available for guests and family, and still have a private study for regular use.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by Eric Rorer
Again, custom cabinetry is the solution, this time with a Murphy bed and convertible desk. By keeping the blue and white colors consistent with the master bedroom, I created a harmony that feels peaceful and comforting, while bringing in a touch of lively yellow from the living room to tie it all together.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photos by David Duncan Livingston
Another place you can make a big impact is in the bathroom. By simply replacing a towel rail with an ADA-approved grab bar, this bathroom is now safer for aging residents, allowing them to stay in their home longer. Safer than a traditional bathtub, a curbless shower allows older people to easily and safely step into their personal hygiene. Beautiful and functional can go together!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
Kimball Starr helps you achieve your downsizing goals through thoughtful interior design in the San Francisco Bay Area and Peninsula. Contact her today for a consultation!
Labels: bathroom, bedroom, contemporary, custom furniture, home office, modern design, small space solutions, storage
May 22, 2018 | Posted in Travel |
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Travel brings out the best in us, gives us the freedom to explore and the space to find ourselves. A treasured find, brought back to capture the memories of a secluded beach, a romantic getaway, or a panoramic view can provide the basis for highly personal interior design, back at home.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Take, for example, this contemporary Guatemalan–inspired living room, created for a retired couple who spend half their time in a contemporary 2-bedroom condo with views of downtown San Francisco, and the rest of the time in Antigua, Guatemala. Travel is an integral part of the homeowners’ lives, and they wanted to bring back the rich woven textiles and vibrant colors of their Central American journeys to their stateside home. To reflect this cultural reference in the living room, a table base used in a Guatemalan wedding precession supports a custom-cut glass top to create the couple’s coffee table.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
The adjacent dining room highlights an art piece created from textured paint on plaster, inspired by the weathering, layering and patina of a building’s exterior in the Central American climate. Colors and fabrics used throughout the space were thoughtfully selected to remind the couple of their Guatemalan experiences and spark conversation with their guests. For example, an Eero Saarinen oval pedestal dining table in marble is paired with bright red B&B Italia dining chairs, visible in the open plan living area.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Artisan textiles are the focal point of the bedroom, based on the Guatemalan tapestry brought back from the owner’s travels. We hung it right over the headboard as a statement piece, and then upholstered the bench in a similar hand-sewn fabric. The throw blanket was also an Antigua find in the Guatemalan markets, and we had colorful tassels added as a playful fringe. The bedding is finished off with a decorative pillow to visually tie together all the handmade textiles.
Upholstering the bed in an inky-blue velvet provides a balance of sensuality and calm to the multiple patterns. Wood-tiled drawer fronts on the nightstands paired with glass jug bases for lamps complete the handcrafted style, but balance nicely with a modern aesthetic. An excellent additional choice might be woven baskets, used by locals to carry items to and from market.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
It was exciting to work with the homeowners and bring what they love about their life and travels into their homes. Not only was I able to make their interior spaces function better for their individual lifestyles, I was also able to give them a beautiful home they love and remind them of their happiest moments and experiences in their lives.
Kimball Starr transforms your treasured travel find to create a space that’s uniquely YOU. Contact her today for a consultation anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, plus Lake Tahoe and Nevada.
Labels: art, bedroom, color, contemporary, custom furniture, dining room, living room, modern design
May 07, 2018 | Posted in Trends |
Pets are part of the family, aren’t they? So they deserve their own inspirational spaces, designed just for them! Here’s a fun little quiz: Which architectural style matches your cat or dog’s personality?
Questions:
- Does your cat like to hide inside boxes or furniture with clean lines?
- Does your dog enjoy camping in simple structures made from natural materials, without complicated features?
Left: Missy Cave by Pup & Kit / Right: Tipi Pup Tent by Camp Cloon
If you answered yes to one or both questions, your pet may be a
Minimalist
Preferring simplicity over bells and whistles, your cat or dog enjoys the pleasures of life without all the trappings of possessions. The Missy Cave by Pup & Kit can house a cat or small dog, and be used as a side table simultaneously. A Tipi Pup Tent by Camp Cloon is the perfect getaway for your minimalist (indoors) pet camping companion, with a comfy wigwam cushion inside simple white fabric, and a pine wood structure that easily packs flat. Minimalism allows freedom, prized by any pet!
Questions:
- Do you frequently find your dog or cat using human furniture, especially those with strong lines and post-WWII materials?
- Does your dog like modern art that doubles as a shelter?
Left: Cloud by Zaha Hadid Architects / Right: Dogchitecture by Kenya Hara
If your answers were yes, your pet is a
Modernist
The 1960s were abuzz with designs even pets can appreciate. Zaha Hadid Architects borrow inspiration from a mod 60s bubble chair for their take on a modern pet bed that’s sure to gain a-paws. Your art-appreciating dog or cat will enjoy this pink recycled plastic house-shaped extrusion that becomes a fun modern structure enclosed from the elements., made with thermal curtains to retain heat in the winter, plus the beds boast UV-resistant surfaces. You might even refer to your beatnik pets as “hep cats” when they use this!
Questions:
- Whatever the weather, does your dog love looking out the window?
- Does a gabled roof with skylight catch your pup’s fancy?
- Are they attracted to a geometric shape with no ornamentation?
Left: MKD9 Haus by RAH:Design / Right: Cubix Large by Best Friends Home
Yes to the questions, then your pet is a
Mid-Century Modernist
Joseph Eichler wasn’t an architect, but he created a design movement when he developed hundreds of homes across Northern and Southern California between 1949 and 1956 with his signature style of gabled roof and a mix of private and public views through high windows and courtyards. Dogs with taste will certainly appreciate the floor-to-ceiling opening and warm teak wood contrasted with powder-coated steel siding of the MKD9 Haus by RAH:Design, clearly influenced by Eichler. Another midcentury modernizing force, the Bauhaus movement captured the idea that form follows function with simple, unadorned geometric designs. Now your dog can live their dream in a Bow-Haus! The Cubix by Best Friends Home comes in 3 sizes to suit any mid-century-modern dog.
Questions:
- Does your dog play with fur toys like coonskin?
- Do they enjoy laying by a warm fire inside a home built from wood?
Left: Acme Rufus log cabin-style dog house / Right: Handmade log cabin pet home, courtesy Pinterest user Elena Swinney
Yes, then your pet appreciates
Cabin Style
Log cabins reached their peak with the Adirondack-style cabins of the mid-19th century. Designed to fit with their rustic surroundings, hewn from the wood of local forests, part of the appeal is that no two log cabins are alike. The modern version of a log cabin is the log home, which is a house built from milled logs, visible on the exterior and sometimes interior of the house. Your dog “wood” love the Acme Rufus log cabin-style doghouse. They might appreciate a handmade log cabin even more!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
If a custom architecturally-styled pet home doesn’t work for your family, why not honor your pets with personal portraits? Let’s design a space that will give your pets pride of place!
Kimball Starr designs homes with pets in mind throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Contact us to create a space dedicated to your furry companions!
Labels: creative interior design, custom furniture, modern design, pets, residential design
Apr 24, 2018 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
Don’t you just love spring? The birds are chirping, the change in weather makes everything feel fresh, and you have new energy for refreshing your home interiors with the spirit of nature, like this fabulous bachelorette pad!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
If April showers bring May flowers, my client must love spring, and this bright and cheerful living room shows it. Texture and pattern are layered under color and more color!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
To create a neutral backdrop so the vibrant palette doesn’t overwhelm, I used a shadowy pattern cast by the leaves of a tree on the living room wall. Relaxing on the sofa, it makes you feel as if you’re sitting next to a tree on a sunny day, with a field of flowers underfoot!
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
The dining area is part of the open plan living space, so the airy feel of the wall pattern is carried into the raindrop-shaped dining pendant and the open metal work of the dining set. A loosely placed air plant atop a wood log is the dining centerpiece, for an effortless connection to natural outdoor elements.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
For the master bedroom, petal pink and lemon yellow are carried in from the living area, which are our favorite springtime colors.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
Crisp white bed linens and bright white nightstands accent the room’s youthful colors, and create a room with an undeniably cheery disposition.
Photo by Eric Rorer / Design by Kimball Starr
Unique details like the base of the nightstands and lacquered lampshades are unexpected, while the tufted headboard with silver details and matelassé bedspread are classic luxuries everyone can appreciate. Sweet dreams!
If you’re ready to spring into action on your interior home redesign or renovation, contact our San Francisco interior design studio today!
Labels: bedroom, color, contemporary, dining room, living room, modern design, pattern, residential design
Apr 10, 2018 | Posted in Travel |
Continuing the travel series, today I’m highlighting a few of my discoveries on my walking paths through Seville, Spain of architectural patterns and the capture of light and shadow.
Photo courtesy Nattivus.com
Above is a courtyard view inside the Alcazar, a royal palace built in the 10th century. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was my absolute favorite architectural site in all of Seville.
This view is the most preserved portion of the absolutely stunning Mudejar architecture, which is a style resulting from the blending of Moorish and European architecture; an outcome from the Moorish invasion and Spanish Reconquista that spanned over 700 years.
As time marched on, Renaissance styles brought on more detailed painted patterns in curvilinear shapes with fewer geometric patterns and intricate carvings. Pattern and color invoke balance and interest in many design styles.
At the Alacazar, the dance between light and shadow is easily seen through archway design and they create meaningful moments of transition. It’s captivating to watch how the sun’s movement completely changes the look of the facade throughout the day.
Muderaj architecture has incredibly detailed plaster carvings and stunning arches that draw your gaze upward to marvel at juxtapositions of space and light. These archways are positioned to take advantage of direct sunlight, so when the sun hits the arches’ undersides, the colored yellow pigment augments the sunlight’s color into streams of gold light.
Archways can also draw your attention inward, inviting a visit, from light or people. Here the same archway has the exterior side painted in yellow to complement the bright Mediterranean light, while the interior side of burnt orange calms the eye from brightness.
Doorways are another transitional space that highlight your arrival. Notice the contrast between the classical and modern door styles in these two photos. The modern door contains a nod to the medieval in the iron bolt detail, and the classical door contains a pattern you’d still see in use today.
Just look at the intricate pattern and metalwork in this door! Imagine this 30 foot tall door was made by a metal smith who pounded and poured every bit of that detail by hand.
A rug and glass bottles for shade?! A couple of resourceful locals create shade, with reusable materials nonetheless, over balcony windows for those hot and sunny days and still allow in light. I bet the interior shows a unique pattern created by those bottles!
Seville’s paths and courtyards also make use of contrasting pattern and texture with simple materials. Unique paths can lead you into enjoyment and discovery, and a plain sidewalk is a boring sidewalk, so Seville will have none of that!
Opportunities are everywhere to bring pattern to your outdoor spaces, whether it’s your backyard patio, front walkway, or on a teeny tiny balcony. I enjoy opportunities to capture color and sunlight in both interior and exterior spaces, so as the natural light changes throughout the day and seasons, my client’s home is an ever-changing work of architectural art.
So where will your path lead you? Travel a unique and beautiful path by having our San Francisco interior design firm lead you from flat interiors to dynamic spaces and from boring paths to inspirational passageways!
San Francisco interior designer Kimball Starr finds design inspiration globally and locally to create residential interiors that synchronize with clients’ lifestyles and surrounding environments.
Labels: light, outdoor spaces, pattern, texture, tiling, walkways, window treatments
