Jul 18, 2014 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
Do you have multiple tech items that you absolutely cannot live without such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, iPod, and camera, but could do without the mess of cords? We CAN live without the unsightly, tangled mess of wires and cables that inevitably goes along with all these gadgets. Here are some ideas for taming the tangle.
Design and photo by Sarah Dorsey
Houzz user Sarah Dorsey explains how to make graphic panels that easily conceal cables: “Using minimal tools and a damage-free hanging system, I created three panels for my desk — two act as stylish accents and one hides the outlet and messy wires. One of the best things about this project is that it’s completely customizable.” So customizable that she created her own stencil, too! Read the details on Houzz.
Design and photo by Kate Pruitt
For those who are less mechanically adept but still like to DIY, here’s an idea that’s the opposite of concealment – embracing the wires and creating a beautiful object out of them instead: “Electrical cords continue to vex those with aesthetic sensibilities; the majority of us want them to blend unobtrusively into the background — or better yet, disappear altogether. Say you have a cord that needs to stretch across a room, and you’re sick of the tack-it-along-the-floorboards approach… Make the cord the center of attention, perhaps a giant colorful braid that you probably won’t trip on because, well, you can’t stop staring at it.” Kate Pruitt shows you how with helpful step-by-step photos on DesignSponge.
Not ready to adorn your room with a huge braid of cords? Legrand offers an innovative range of office products to make those wires vanish while allowing access, portability, and even retractability. Their flat-screen TV cord and cable kit is a godsend for homeowners: “Do-it-yourself kit allows for neat and easy installation in under 30 minutes with no electrician or hard wiring involved.” The kit complements Legrand’s Cordmate II Cord Channel kit and Cordmate II Flex.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
And our favorite solution? Custom furniture! Here Kimball designed a wall mounted contemporary media cabinet to encompass the power outlet, eliminating all wires from view. The center shelf is positioned at bar height so it can be used to prepare cocktails or pour wine, while glasses and bottles are stored in the upper cabinets behind garage-style doors. The lower compartments store games and multimedia components which are wired through the wall connected to a ceiling mounted projector which then projects your video onto a concealed screen- not only tech savvy but stylish!
If you enjoyed these ideas get in touch through the contact page. We’d love to create a custom furniture solution to your cord calamity!
San Francisco interior design firm, Kimball Starr, provides custom furniture and interior decorating solutions for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Kimball works to “change lives one room at a time” through designing unique and creative interiors suited for each homeowner.
Labels: cord management, DIY
Jul 09, 2014 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
by Guest Blogger, Jennifer Davidson, LEED AP
Photo courtesy TheInteriorDesignAdvocate.com
So you’ve decided you want to do some work on your home, perhaps refresh your dated bathroom, upgrade your home office into a tech haven, or rip out that frustratingly-designed workspace and gain the cook’s kitchen of your dreams. You have some ideas, but don’t really know where to start. How do you organize your thoughts into a coherent plan? Where can you find the fixtures and fittings you want? This is a great opportunity to bring in a professional interior designer, who can help you realize your goals.
Before you even begin to seek out a designer, start by gathering some inspirational photos. Go through old and new magazines, look at design blogs you enjoy and start to identify what your style and taste is. There are several easy ways to do this. If you have a Pinterest account, start a board with your favorite photos. Collect them together and you will start to see patterns emerge – maybe you like mid-century modern, or art deco, or maybe you like contemporary but definitely not too modern. It’s easy to gather products and vignettes on Pinterest and you can even share your board with your spouse or partner, and later with your designer.
You can also save photos of real interiors to an ideabook on Houzz, a fabulous resource for all things residential design. There you can follow specific designers whose style you admire, and you might even connect with a few designers and feel them out, asking questions about their selections and techniques. Another very happening source of inspiration is Instagram – tons of designers post their project progress photos, and items they are sourcing. Use hashtags to search on specific keywords and discover new designers that way, such as #fauxfinish or #modernkitchen.
Once you have an idea of what your style is, and maybe a few designers whose work you admire, sit down and think about your budget. Do this at a time when you are not rushed, and you have access to your financial information so you can record facts, rather than guesses. What is your budget range? Have a low and high end. Make sure you are not breaking the bank, but have a comfortable amount that is realistic for the project you have in mind. If you’re not sure what that is, when you start interviewing designers, ask them for their advice.
Photo courtesy inmobiliarialuxus.com
Here are some things to consider when selecting your interior designer:
Do you like their style? Have you seen their work – either online or in person? Do you like what they’ve done for other people? If not, keep looking.
What is their work personality like? Are they prompt about returning phone calls and emails? What is their communication style? If you don’t like reading long emails and you can’t get this person on the phone, then you might not be a good match.
What is their reputation? Do they provide references from prior or current clients? Do they have a Yelp and what are the reviews like?
Do they have a professional affiliation and credentials? Are they a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) or the International Interior Design Association (IIDA)? Do they have a degree in interior design? From what school? Have they passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam? Are they a Certified Interior Designer (CID)? They don’t necessarily have to have ALL these credentials, but they should be able to show that they are educated and knowledgable about the field in which they practice, and have specific current knowledge about building codes in the state(s) in which they work.
Do they share your values? Are you seeking a sustainable designer? They should be a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) or certified in Green Globes or some other green building and construction program. If you are thrifty or have a lower budget, your designer should share that value as well, to watch the pennies for you. However, keep in mind that designers need to make money also, so your budget should not be so low as to only work for DIY.
Are they transparent about their fees? Does your interior designer take a certain percentage of the total budget cost or a mark-up on items purchased for you? Do they charge an hourly rate? What does that include? Will they be there for installation day or do they leave that to the contractor?
Do they have local and international knowledge? They should know whom to contact for draperies and where to source a specific sofa you’ve had your eye on. While of course you can order items from overseas and have them shipped, it’s good to have relationships with local showrooms, installers and shippers, in case you run into difficulties. A good designer will know people both locally and around the world.
Finally, when you sit down to interview your proposed interior designer, make sure you LIKE them. Remember, this person is going to be privy to not only your finances, the contents of your closets, and your personal relationships, but will also be with you for quite a long time. A renovation project does not happen overnight, so you need to enjoy this person’s company and feel comfortable with them, and above all TRUST them. Think of this not as a single project, but possibly a lifetime relationship – your designer can give you valuable advice about art, purchasing a new property and how to create an entertaining space that will make you the talk of the town. While you should of course consider this a professional relationship, it will be a more satisfying one if you genuinely feel a connection.
So now that you know how to do it, don’t wait – get started on that project of your dreams today! One final tip: Kimball Starr is an excellent interior designer who meets all the qualifications I’ve listed above. Contact her for advice on your next design project. You’ll be pleased, you have my word.
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JENNIFER DAVIDSON holds an M.F.A. in Interior Architecture and Design from the Academy of Art University. She is the Social Media Chair for ASID California North Chapter and consults with interior design professionals on their small business needs. Contact her via makesocialmediaeasy.squarespace.com
Labels: professional interior designer, tips
Jun 25, 2014 | Posted in Trends |
Summer is here – you can feel it in the air! This is the season when we yearn to be outside, soaking up the sun and enjoying the cool breezes. If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space accessible to your property, now is the time to make improvements so you can really enjoy the summer months.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
In the Palo Alto bungalow above, Kimball Starr Interior Design used outdoor furniture made of a contemporary resin material with the look of wicker but much more durable. The patio’s umbrella has a built-in light, so you can read the paper well after sunset. You’ll never have trouble finding your cocktail with these playful illuminating cube tables that double as additional seating. And the outdoor fabric on these loveseats is designed to last through years of rain, wind and sunlight without fading or becoming frayed – it dries quickly and covers a comfortable foam cushion.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
On the deck of this SOMA loft, the stunning water fountain imported from Morocco features an uplight for dramatic nighttime scenes. It’s surrounded by large-scale textural floor tiles in multiple colorations, and a stylized patterned outdoor polypropylene rug that resists fading, which can be hosed off for easy maintenance. The entire space is dotted with easy-care live plants, including the succulent wall hangings on the trellis behind the water feature. An LED sconce will light the space for 50,000 hours before it needs changing. Durable outdoor furniture withstands the weather and remains welcoming, making this truly an outdoor living room.
If you have an outdoor space that needs sprucing up, we’re happy to help – just drop us a line using the contact page!
Kimball Starr, is a San Francisco interior design firm specializing in contemporary interiors and outdoor living for the San Francisco, Peninsula, and San Jose areas. Kimball works to “change lives one room at a time” through designing creative and innovative interiors.
Labels: lighting, outdoor, patio furniture, water feature
May 30, 2014 | Posted in Inspirations |
We recently saw the latest film from director Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and can’t stop raving about his fabulous use of color! We’re not alone – there’s a whole Tumblr dedicated to observing his playful palettes! Here are two selections:
Photo from “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, color palettes by Wes Anderson Palettes Tumblr
Photo from “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, palettes by Wes Anderson Palettes Tumblr
To those, we’d like to add a favorite of our own: The elevator!
Photo from “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, palettes by Kimball Starr Interior Design
We’re inspired by Anderson’s bold color choices! Are you brave enough to try these in your home or office? Get in touch- we’re color experts!
Contemporary San Francisco interior design firm, Kimball Starr, is a paint color expert and provides color consultations for both interior and exterior spaces. Kimball works to “change lives one room at a time” through designing creative and innovative interiors.
Labels: color, color palette, Wes Anderson
May 10, 2014 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
Last time in this series of 3, we gave tips and ideas on how to maximize space in small kitchens . In this final edition of small space living, let’s look at how we entertain in our homes, and how we can make a space feel welcoming to guests as well as yourself!
The living room is the primary living space where we relax, spend some down-time after a hard day’s work, and have fun with friends and family. If you have tight space restrictions, reducing clutter through the use of clever storage is one of the more important ways to maximize your living room area.
Utilizing closet spaces or odd niches in a room can maximize a room to it’s fullest potential. In the photo below, custom Shoji sliding doors conceal an odd-shaped niche that has been transformed into a built-in entertainment center and mini home office.
On the left-hand side sits a flat screen television, with media components hidden below and behind the lower portion of the sliding screens. On the right-hand side concealed behind the screens, sits a computer monitor on top of a Douglas Fir wood slab, leaving open space underneath to pull up a desk chair and work at the computer.
To utilize every square inch, Kimball built hidden shelves inside the column situated directly to the right of the screens. The added shelves provide storage for office supplies and computer accessories for easy access while sitting at the desk.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
Once again, custom-built furniture is the ultimate solution to small-space challenges. Because the screens slide instead of swinging open like a door, circulation through the room is never blocked. Adding built-in or open leaning shelves increase the storage and are great for displaying collectibles, books or art that you want to be more visible.
The glass partition between rooms functions as the balustrade for the stairwell leading to the downstairs bedroom. Instead of installing a sheetrocked wall, the glass partition takes up less depth, still provides the necessary safety, and allows the eye to travel freely throughout the space.
From another vantage point in the living room, the L-shaped sectional sofa fits perfectly from wall to wall to maximize the comfortable seating. By keeping the upholstery color similar to the wall color, the room is kept visually open and airy. The heavy coffee table does triple duty here — functioning as a table, providing storage underneath for remote controls and game consoles, and also serving as additional seating when the party gets crowded.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
You may also notice the wall-mounted speaker system, which frees up surface area while providing the best possible sound for the room. And as mentioned previously in this series, adding floor-to-ceiling windows, french doors, or a skylight can expand your visual horizons in a small space.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this series on utilizing every square inch of your residential spaces. If you have a challenge you’d like to address in your home, let us know via the Contact page!
San Francisco Bay Area interior design firm, Kimball Starr, provides contemporary design in the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Marin areas. Kimball works to “change lives one room at a time” through designing creative and innovative interiors.
Labels: custom furniture, living room, small space solutions
May 04, 2014 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |
Our last post on Small Space Living showed how custom furniture can maximize the useable space in a small residential area. Let’s continue the discussion with a look at the kitchen.
In the photo below, you can see the custom island in the foreground, featuring a shelf at the bottom for oversize pots and appliances, along with other heavy items you wouldn’t want to lift overhead. Cladding the island countertop in butcherblock makes the perfect chopping surface. A pull-out work surface is used as additional seating for guests while you cook and entertain. For mobility, put the island on rolling casters and wheel it wherever you need it to go.
Thanks to the addition of skylights, the space feels and looks light and airy. When remodeling your home, open up small spaces with skylights to bring in natural light. Benefits are twofold by adding to both your mental and physical well-being.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
In the next photo, the island’s deep drawers are great for multi-use storage. Behind that is a mix of open and closed shelving ideal for displaying your china collection, or make the doors opaque and only reveal your better pieces. The shelving on the left makes excellent use of what could have been dead space, keeping your kitchen items readily available. Placing infrequently-used pieces that are also beautiful at the top of your cabinetry is a good way to utilize high shelves and the top surface.
Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer
The kitchen is a place used primarily for cooking, but also sometimes for entertaining. In the next installment, we’ll talk about entertaining in a small living room, and how to make the best use of a smaller space that is essential for both personal use and entertaining.
San Francisco interior design firm, Kimball Starr, provides kitchen design for homes throughout the San Francisco, San Jose, and Marin areas. Kimball works to “change lives one room at a time” through designing creative and innovative interiors individually suited for each homeowner.
Labels: island, kitchen, shelving
