Design Success University

Luxe Magazine asked me to answer a few questions that might be of interest to you.  The article came out in early February, and with all publications, only part of the article was used.  Here is my version prior to print.

Why do bright colors tend to generate positive responses?

Color does evoke emotional responses.  Some people are extremely sensitive to certain colors and may react in an interesting way.  I actually had a client that could not stand red rooms because she and her husband would fight when they were in a red room, so the responses aren’t always positive.  If you like strong colors, they do not have to be used for the walls or dominant furniture pieces.  They can be used for accents or smaller furniture pieces and can create a counterpoint to the rest of the room’s palette.  Punches of bright colors add interest and drama to a room.  Blues, greens and violets are cool, soothing and relaxing.  We think of reds, yellows and oranges as exciting, happy, passionate and bold colors.  The brighter colors usually have less black and white mixed in, so the color is more intense and pure.  Black is the absence of color and white is all colors.  An interesting side note from an interior design class, some prisons use pink to keep prisoners calm.

Why do you think that black and white color combinations are making a comeback?  What types of designs are they popular with today and why?

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This blog is for you.  We want to know what your biggest question is about interior design.  Please add your comment and I will post answers for you. 

We are also preparing a series of teleseminars for you, and we want to know what you want to know.  We were thinking about a few different topics, and we would like to get your feedback on what would be of interest:

How to Hire and Work With a General Contractor

How to Prepare Your Home to Sell for the Top Dollar in a Down Market

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I enjoy reading the shelter magazines as much as anyone does, and what is often highlighted in some of the trendier magazines is something that is radical, bold or different.  Just because it is in a magazine does not mean it is the design you should have in your own home.

While you are looking at the magazines, or even the HGTV shows, it can become overwhelming and confusing to decide what to do with your own home. 

Here is my advice to you: Continue Reading »

We attended a great seminar hosted by the distributor for Wolf and SubZero appliances last week.  The vice president of the manufacturer shared their analysis of the hot trends in kitchen design in the last several months.

Today’s designs are personality driven.  You as a client should bring your unique sensibilities to the kitchen design and incorporate your interests and tastes into the products that you select.  One client incorporated an entire room for cookbooks in their home.   Love that! 

The hot designs are less trendy - not too many crazy colors, and the overall movement is toward cleaner (more transitional) lines.

Another frequently seen look is a mixture of textures and materials.  Two or more cabinet colors and two or more countertop materials are typical these days. 

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