Have you heard of using wallpaper NOT on the walls? Here are ideas to use wallpaper in unexpected ways.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher
We colored the inside of the wall niche orange in my client’s San Francisco loft, creating interest and a wow factor, matching it to the insides of the bookshelves that form the wall around the spiral staircase. Instant uplift!
Photo courtesy Driven by Design
Another way to use wallpaper on bookshelves, finished with an arch for a classic feel.
Photo courtesy Aunt Peaches
Wallpaper can be used on fridges for a completely refreshed look.
Photo courtesy Elle Decor
A wallpapered ceiling draws your eye upwards, letting it linger and take in the whole space.
Photo courtesy WAHHWF
Wallpapering stair risers creates a fabulous look you won’t see many places. I’d love to work on a project like this with you!
Kimball Starr designs beautiful interiors for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
When I was a kid, I used to love putting glow-in-the-dark stars on our 1980s popcorn ceilings. A pain to remove, but fun. Here are some more grown-up ways to decorate your ceilings.
Photo courtesy Veranda
Tartan upholstered walls, ceilings, and furniture in a Utah ski resort are deliciously over-the-top!
Photo courtesy Francis York
This Pacific Heights San Francisco mansion has stunning coffered ceilings.
Photo courtesy Kevin J. Miyazaki for House Beautiful
A ceiling mural in this walk-in closet elevates the space from standard to WOW just by looking up!
Photo courtesy Royal Design Studio
This beautiful reflective star pattern would have impressed me as a child, and still does.
Kimball Starr designs beautiful ceilings for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
Want to create a feeling of modern luxury with a traditional touch? Here are some unexpected ways to upholster your interiors from around the web.
Photo courtesy Luxesource
Upholstered doors are an impressive way to make an entrance! Love the nail head pattern.
Photo courtesy Houzz
White leather upholstered walls in a residential lounge gives an ultra-cool luxurious feeling.
Photo courtesy MoodInteriorStylist
This bright green upholstered console table with gold legs and drawer handle would pep up any home.
Photo courtesy Apartment Therapy
A custom padded headboard on this bed created with multiple patterns, colors, and textures achieves an eclectic look. See the tiger and pink-fringed table lamp that tones with the animal-print pillows and pinks in the headboard and on the linens? Chef’s kiss!
Kimball Starr custom designs for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
Organic Interior Design is defined by designers and builders as designing raw and refined spaces that layer organic elements, forms, and natural hues against a simplistic background. Nature-inspired furniture is combined with crisp architectural elements.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Here’s an example of a commercial design display I did for Ikea using organic shapes for the loungers, giving a natural feel with the woven texture, yet a modern take with colorful umbrellas and matching pillows.
Photo courtesy Decorilla
This moody bathroom demonstrates organic design through its use of wood plank flooring with a woven rug under the bathtub, the wooden cabinetry, door, and plenty of live plants.
Photo courtesy Etsy
Ceramic tiles in coastal blue on beige textural backgrounds feel very organic due to the handmade designs and nature-inspired patterns. Take your kitchen or bathroom from whoa to wow by incorporating some of these in your next design.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
This comfortable midcentury dining room is a good example of organic design, with a live edge wood table and a wall sculpture made from live wood and plants. Can I design something like this for your home or home office?
Kimball Starr designs for natural homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.
If you have beautiful, sculptural art pieces and don’t know how or where to use them in your home, read on for my tips.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Steph Dewey
This metallic female torso stands between the dining and living areas, visually delineating the spaces without being a wall or room divider. It allows light through, creating interest throughout the day as the sun moves.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Steph Dewey
In the same dining room, we’re using a textural pendant light, which resembles a sculpture in its composition, but lighter and with a feeling of motion. You can also see the relationship between the torso sculpture and the pendant light. Notice that the pendant light repeats the orangey-yellow visible in the painting next to the torso.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
Hanging sculpture that’s light enough on a wall is another simple display method. Here a metal wall sculpture forms the shape of a flock of birds in my client’s small-but-mighty San Francisco condo.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer
The original sculpture by artist C. Jere is made from iron and casts a dramatic shadow of birds in flight.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher
In my client’s high-ceiling city loft, we display two pierced brass teardrop-shaped lights as sculptures near a grouping of long hanging glass pendant lights.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Joe Fletcher
The lights hang higher than the teardrops, allowing the sculptures to be visible from multiple locations around the space, drawing attention towards the fireplace in the corner.
What pieces do you have that you’d like to display? Can I help you design a space to showcase them?
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.
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.
