New STUDIO BLOG

SO excited to share with you that we have launched a new Studio Blog .....

So please stay connected with us ....

Check it out here

Layering with Metrie : Architectural Interior moldings

A lot of my clients come to me with an idea of what they want their spaces to look like , they describe the style , the colors, materials ,  but they rarely mention the moldings and the treatments of the walls or ceilings.... that's usually my job to show them and educate them on what makes a finished interior space.  We interior designers layer spaces .  We layer materials , textures, color and MOLDINGS.  Moldings is a BIG factor in the layering process, it adds depth and dimension.  It gives spaces their architectural landscape and makes the room /space complete.

Last week , I was invited by Modenus and their wonderful sponsors to attend the KBIS /IBIS show in Orlando Florida along with 24 other influential interior designers and bloggers for an Educational/  FUN packed 3 days of everything Kitchen,Bath, and Construction and lot's of shop talk .

It's taken me a week to decompress from all the information I obtained ... my brain has been on sensory overload .  So much to see and experience.  Lot's of great new (to me) product and new advances in technology made for an amazing show.  And now,  I would love to share with you , some my inspirational finds Starting with one of our sponsors.  ( more KBIS blog posts to follow )  

 If you don't already know about Metrie, they are a wonderful source for interior trims, moldings and doors.  Not only are they the largest manufacturer of interior finishings for North America, they have been around for 90 years.   For those of you who already know about them, spec them and use them,  Bet you were excited to see the latest product solution they just debuted,  It is one of my Favorites !  For those who don't know,  It's called Option M .  

Option M is a curated selection of baseboards, crown moldings, trims, casings, doors , All perfectly packaged into 5 different styles - Bohemian, New Traditional, Modern Farmhouse , Shabby Chic & Vintage Industrial to make it easy for the homeowner, builder or designer to spec & use.  

We use trim moldings in all of our projects , even the most contemporary homes we do .  Moldings add that layer I was talking about earlier.  It gives the space it's architectural style and makes the space complete .

I Invite you to visit Metrie's website and see the wonderful product they have.  Option M is just one of their many collections. They also have decorative doors.  Go and Explore the possibilities.

Here are some photos of the little vignettes of their KBIS Booth in Orlando that I took last week .

You can see how instantly a space is transformed and defined by a style.

Ship lap for your next Modern Farmhouse or Beach house project

 

Applied trim molding to walls.

And DON'T forget the 5th wall ! Metrie and their talented designers did a beautiful job at KBIS on their displays/ vignettes at their booth with ceiling treatments! We just recently did this in our award winning kitchen project too ( see previous Blog post) .

Peek a boo! Loving all the displays of Metrie's Ceiling

Metrie Ceiling photo

Here's an example of how we used molding in one of our projects.  The Pasadena Showcase house (below) we did the Cloakroom and Lavatory where the walls were plain, lacked any architectural style and the proportions/ scale was off .  By adding molding we solved both these issues. 

See our before and after.  

This before photo below shows you that not even this tapestry or large mirror could help this space feel proportioned... if anything... this homeowner made it worse / amplified with the over-scaled items in a narrow space . 

BEFORE

Molding height strategically placed 3/4 of the way up in Cloak room brings ceiling down /wallpaper by BlackCrowStudios

 

You can still hang things on wall Overlapping molding like this mirror

Wainscot Molding in the Bathroom instead was lower than the cloakroom for better proportion

So the next time you start an interior design project , don't overlook using moldings.  It can be done simple or over the top , what ever your preference .  That layer is not just an added detail,  it is a foundation for great design.  Give your space the architectural detail it deserves. 

 

  THANK YOU Metrie for the wonderful tour of your Booth ! It was inspiring !   

#sponsoredpost

 

Featured in Architectural Digest 2018 January Issue

What an honor to be Featured in Architectural Digest ! 

Thank you Viking for naming me Viking's Kitchen Designer of the Year.  I'm so honored.

Viking Design Award

Viking Design Award

I'm absolutely thrilled to receive this design award from Viking ! To learn more about this kitchen and this wonderful award please click on the link above. 

 Get the Look : Shop similar items here !

A YEAR in The Life of an Interior Designer -reflection on 2013

Take a peek into my interior design adventures of 2013... It was an incredible Year filled with great moments.  I traveled a lot and met a lot of wonderful people.  I am so grateful to everyone in this book and others who I don't have pictures of , who made such an impact on my life this past year.   I put this album together for me as a keepsake but then I thought... why not share it.  So here it is .

Click here to view this photo book larger

High Point Market Product Preview Twitter Chat

Product Preview Twitter Chat

High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina, is like the New York Fashion Week for interior design and home furnishings. Designers, retailers and media descend on the small town with big furniture clout, to the tune of nearly 80,000 from across the globe, to be the first to see the new goods and purchase them.

Decor Mentor is kicking off the market countdown by sharing a preview of top home furnishings yet to be seen [ they are debuting at the October Fall market ] in an official partnership with The High Point Market. What will our team curate? Join Kati Curtis, Erica Islas, Elaine Williamson, Jennifer Brouwer Beth Dotolo, James Saavedra  Lisa Kahn and Lisa Ferguson to find out what we are loving from High Point Market exhibitors. They moved around their photography schedules to make these photos available for the very special sneak peek. It is kind of like the pre-stylespotters!

Join the Decor Mentor and High Point Market teams for the global Market Preview Twitter Chat Wednesday, September 25th 6-7pmEST and use #HPmkt hashtag. We will be sharing images [ we have them pinned to secret pinterest boards! ], events and trends and it’s a great chance for you to connect and ask questions!

Our favourite way to chat?

• We like to use http://tweetchat.com/room/HPmkt [ automatically adds the hashtag #HPmkt to your tweets and you can control the speed ].
• You can also use twitter management apps like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck and set up a column with the hashtag #HPmkt

—-We actually do both! Tweetchat for being in the conversation and another screen open in Hootsuite to watch our mentions and respond!

We hope you will join us!

RE-POST - original Post by Lisa Ferguson of Decor Mentor

HGTV.com Decorating tips for under $200

I was recently asked by HGTV.com  "If you had $200 to spend to update a bedroom, how would you spend it?  Please share a no-cost decorating tip, too."

Here's the article : Bedroom Updates under $200

Truth is, $200 doesn't get you very far now a days, but if you have a couple more hundred dollars , you could try some of these other savvy tips that can make a big difference in your space .

Interior Design by Erica Islas

1. Wallpaper the Bed wall.  This adds a new layer and is sure to Update the look of your bedroom.  It can be a fun way to introduce a pop of color, or a graffic pattern, a stripe or even a simple texture such as a grass, sisal,  jute or even a silk.  Adding a new focal point will make the room look fresh and new.   Wallpaper can be expensive but it is a Great investment.  If you have a few dollars left after buying wallpaper, I would suggest spending it on new lamp shades or fun throw pillows.

Interior Design By: Erica Islas / photo: Laure Joliet

2.     Another way to update a space with $200 is : New bed side lamps, You can bring a pop of color in a bedroom by finding two bedside lamps with a fun color and then buying one pillow with the  same color as in the lamp to pop onto the bed as an accent.  This will add a layer of color  and keep the balance in the room by using color on either side of bed and on the bed.

3.     Switching out furniture is a great way to inexpensively change out the bedroom and update  it………… Start by re-positioning the bed in a different location ( no cost). If you have side tables in another part of the house that could work in the room as bedside tables switch those out ( no cost) , SWITCH things UP!  Next purchase a new Duvet cover and pillows ( $100) use the other $100 for accessories (such as a cool mirror, tray for dresser or nightstand to organize your stuff)  or new window treatments.   Always introduce a pattern or texture  ( both if possible) if room seems flat ( meaning all materials are same tone (color) , or texture.

4.     Obviously the easiest most inexpensive way to update any room is with Paint.  A gallon of  $25/40 can make a Huge difference and is a no brainer of money well spent.  So Paint the bedroom a restful soothing color, my go to bedroom colors are always colors as seen in nature  such as pale smokey blues ( NEVER pastels ) , sage or mossy greens ( never Pastels) Soft pinks as in an early morning sunrise ( never Pastel), You can’t go wrong with mother nature colors on walls and then you can splurge on some FUN pops of color in Drapes / curtains.  New curtains will take up a good chunk of your $200 budget so if anything is left after Paint, curtains, I would suggest some accessories.

5.     Painting your furniture is NEVER a good idea.  Unless you have it done professionally it will chip and look dirty , worn and distressed in less than a year.  So if you are going to paint furniture have is done professionally or KNOW what you are doing.  Don’t ever just paint furniture because you saw it on a DIY show.  BAD idea.  If you see it in a magazine , it was more than likely done professionally and that is why it works ! 

6.     Crown Molding is a GREAT way to add architectural detail to a room.  You can add new Crown and Base molding and paint it a color or a neutral gray for an updated look.

Design By Erica Islas / photo credit: David Young-Wolff

7.     Mirrors are always a fun way update a space , adding depth, sparkle , lightness and freshness.   Couple of suggestions….depending on how far $200 will take you….. New full length mirror in a corner of a room where light reflects , adds unexpected sparkle and light.  Add a custom bevel mirror or tempered glass top (1/4” thick) to a dresser or night stands for that much needed sparkle in the room .

8.       A new Graffic Rug can make the room look fresh and new again.

9.     Don’t forget the ceiling…… Adding some visual interest to a ceiling in a bedroom is a great way to update a bedroom, you can do that by adding molding, or painting the ceiling a color . 

10.     ART can change the mood of a room dramatically, so if you have some art in your home that you can decorate your walls with , DO so.  Don’t forget Lighting …..Lighting art is important to feature the beauty.  Lighting in any space needs to come from more than one source to create moods and different atmospheres.  So if you can invest on some dimmers to give you some lighting flexibility DO so.   Also lighting at different heights…. If you have an overhead light source ( central fixture or recessed lights)  Be sure to add another source such as Sconces, or floor lamp, or table lamp, or adding some pops of light coming from floor in the corner of the room is a great way to add drama to a space.

Decor Mentor Debut - Kids Spaces Thoughtfully Designed

Kids Spaces Thoughtfully Designed on DecorMentor  today.  

For more articles by other professional designers click here for The Decor Mentor site.

How to Enhance the architectural Beauty of problematic Windows

These two projects had problematic windows. Problematic in the sense that they were ugly in their current context.  They stuck out like a sore thumb because they were disconnected from the rest of the space.  Having too much negative/empty space around a window draws more attention to them.

This bathroom renovation was a fun challenge.  I decided to frame out the windows and incorporate them into the mirror design.  

By framing out the mirror and windows together we visually created ONE thing to look at.  

Then we took it one step further and framed up the rest of the wall above the window and added more mirror.  We created an entire wall of glass/mirror adding architectural visual interest to a space that lacked it.

AFTER BATHROOM PHOTO - Design By Erica Islas

The result is attractive windows.

We had another similar experience on another project, see here below.

BEFORE PHOTO

This Kitchen renovation also had issues with windows.  Client hated the windows; they said they hated them because it didn’t allow for them to have upper cabinets.

It was obvious that there was too much going on, the space felt busy, fussy, and the windows stood out like a soar thumb.  But I actually loved the windows… I loved their shaped and immediately envisioned upper cabinets installed horizontally under the windows.  Horizontal cabinets make it (ergonomically) easier to get to stuff.  

AFTER PHOTO-  Design by Erica Islas

Another thing to consider with windows is to connect them to something else in the space.  For example, in the Kitchen above, the windows are framed in wood, so I used a similar wood color for the lower cabinets.  Connecting the problematic windows to something else in the space helps you see the space as a whole.   

We also added a FULL backsplash all the way up to the windows. This creates another visual horizontal band.

Once the problematic windows are addressed, the rest of the renovation falls into place with a great design plan and selection of a great finishes. 

Happy New Year !  and say Hello to .....

Pairs beautifully with Whites and Neutrals , great with pops of Blues and Yellows.

HGTV 's Design Happens - Monthly Design Tour: Erica Islas’ 1920s Spanish Bungalow

I am thrilled and flattered that HGTV.com has chosen my client's home for their Once a month Monthly Home Tour on Design Happens.  And so it is with great pleasure that I share this Home Tour with all of you . Enjoy !   

Design Happens - Monthly Design Tour: Erica Islas’ 1920s Spanish Bungalow

Thank you Karli , I loved your post !