Carole Lee Interiors


Making Smaller Rooms Feel Larger

 

 

People sometimes think we only work on very large houses or large rooms, but that is not always the case. We are sometimes tasked with working in smaller spaces such as compact office spaces or townhomes.   As a professional interior designer we are expert at designing three-dimensional spaces for a living and are adept at manipulating space to make smaller spaces feel larger than they really are.  How do we do it?  Here are six tips.

Light Walls

The lighter the walls, the larger the space will feel.  Light walls reflect light, which helps smaller rooms feel larger.  With the abundance of white or off white paint colors available you are sure to find one that is perfect for your project.

Six Sides Alike

Remember, each room has six sides, not four.  Don’t forget the floor and ceiling.  By having all six sides either light or dark helps to keep the room from looking chopped up. Good design will use either all light colored walls, floors and ceiling or all dark colored walls, floors and ceiling.

Mirrors

This is a fairly obvious tip since we all know that mirrors can make a room feel larger.  However you need to consider what the mirror will be reflecting.  If it is not something you want to see, then don’t use mirrors.

Simplify Your Materials and Finishes

Use a limited number of materials to make your space feel larger. The more surfaces in a room, the more the room will feel chopped up. Each time you change materials you define where one surface ends and the next begins, which can make the space feel smaller.

Scale

Remove oversized furnishings.  In small rooms, small-scale furniture will make a small room feel much larger.

Good Lighting

Good lighting has an enormous impact on the feel of your rooms.  Sadly it is often cut from the budget.  Plan to include 10% of your budget on lighting, especially in small rooms.


High Contrast Color Palette Trending in 2018

 

 

Interior designers know the importance of a room’s first impression. There are some spaces that, upon first glance, make your breath catch because its elements are so visually striking, yet still fit together. Other rooms seem to fall flat, almost like something is missing.

As always, one of the most important attributes to any space is the color scheme. In 2018 especially, color will undoubtedly play a crucial role in any space.

The use of high contrast color palettes is one of the secret ingredients that give memorable spaces big impact. When used correctly, this foundational design principle can add a huge dose of visual interest to your interiors while simultaneously pulling it together. Many consider it an essential component to any successful interior design.

In 2018, the use of bold and contrasting colors in any room will be trending upwards. Giving a room a complimentary color scheme or one that utilizes two shades on opposite ends of the color wheel — will create the strongest impact.  The use of white with any deep or vibrant hue, including timeless black and white, will certainly be a recurring theme. Some designers suggest the use of dark blue with milky white will be one of the most popular contrasting color schemes. This trend can be implemented in such a large variety of ways that it can be adapted to fit in almost any style of décor.

As with any design, keep in mind that in these spaces, one color needs to take a dominant role while the other accents it. Consider choosing one shade for the walls while the other is used in textiles, furniture and accessories.

For those who aren’t quite ready for their spaces to be that high contrast, there is a way to tone things down. You just need to add in additional neutrals. Doing so will give eyes a spot to rest while also providing a quiet background for your contrasting colors to pop out against.

We invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your next interior design project and discover how Carole Lee Interiors can keep your interiors on trend.


How Tone On Tone Can Make Your Interiors More Interesting

Tone on tone coloring or layering is a decorating technique that takes a single or a few colors and uses different saturation levels of that color or colors throughout the entire space. You begin working with one general color area and manipulate this color through the use of fabrics, tints, shades and textures to create interest and variety. The effect can be dramatically transformed by lightening or darkening of that color.

Whether you’re saturating your home with rich hues or you’re adding layers of color to a neutral backdrop, at Carole Lee Interiors we celebrate tone on tone decorating. From fresh flowers that mirror the shade of the wall to throw pillows in the same color family as a nearby rug, the repetition of hues makes a big impact in your interior. Here are some ways we use tone on tone to decorate your space:

  • Layer your wall coloring
  • Pull inspiration from art
  • Mix and match patterns
  • Bring color into doors and windows
  • Match window treatments to walls
  • Pair tone on tone colors with black and white
  • Use tone on tone flooring
  • Incorporate a range of shades of the same color
  • Layer color through tabletop décor
  • Go extra bold with one vibrant item
  • Saturate with rich hues

These are just a few methods we use when decorating interiors using a tone on tone technique. Tone on tone interiors can be tricky to pull off if you do not have a lot of expertise working with color, hues and textures. If you are not a pro it is easy to make trial and error mistakes, which can begin to add costs to your project. Instead contact Carole Lee to schedule a consultation to see if tone on tone is a good idea for your space.


Is Gray The New Neutral?

 

When it comes to décor, there are a few hard and fast rules. Even if you don’t consistently follow the trends in color, fabrics, flooring and paint, you can easily recognize what is popular by shopping in furniture and home décor stores, as well as browsing home design websites.

However, the basic tenants of design are not immune to change. For decades interior designers have typically organized rooms around a neutral shade and two complementing or contrasting colors. Neutrals like beige, camel, tan and white have been popular for many years because they look good on floors and walls and tend to make rooms look larger and brighter.

As an interior design firm, we are expecting that gray, in its many variations, will be a top color choice for all types of interiors including luxury homes and elegant offices. A darker gray can be an attractive alternative while remaining subtle. When combined with white and black gray makes a bold statement. Bright colors really pop with gray. Cooler shades of gray can make a room feel inviting on a hot day and make rooms look refined and understated.

Gray hues work with so many different colors it is easy to change the appearance of a room by repainting an accent wall, changing flooring, new fabrics or inspired window treatments.

Simply put, there are so many shades and ways to use gray that will allow you make your home or office warm and inviting.

 

 

 

 

 


The Allure of The Bath

Carole Lee Interiors was recently featured in the September issue of ‘Chester County Life Magazine’ talking about today’s’ trends in bathroom design. Today’s bathrooms are simply not like bathrooms of the past. Homeowners want to transcend the typical. “We tend to seek a happy getaway that invites us to enjoy hours of relaxation,” points out Carole Lee.

Bathtubs and showers have reversed roles. Tubs are smaller, showers, sometimes room size. Today’s tubs are made for mini retreats and tend to be freestanding in the room. “Light a few candles, pour in bubbles, open a good book, and luxuriate,” Carole Lee suggests. “A bathroom haven isn’t limited to women. Men enjoy a calming soak as they watch a golf tournament or pro game, which is why we are incorporating TVs into many designs.”

Vacation environments continue in modern showers. More like spas, these spaces are highlighted with body sprays, rain shower heads, and hand showers. “A recent project,” notes Carole Lee, “integrated a large ceiling-mounted shower-head with another hung on the wall. We also install ample shelving, and corner seats.”

Environmentally conscious toilets that feature flush technology made to minimize spreading germs, as well as buttons to dictate flush rate and reduce water usage are made in sleek designs that work well in small or large spaces and can be hidden in a recess.

At Carole Lee Interiors they offer many design concepts to work within a smaller budget. “ People should work around an investment they can comfortably spend. To economize they can apply paint in the bath instead of wallpaper. Window treatments make a whole new statement. Rather than purchasing a sink or tub, consider replacing fixtures. Tubs, in fact, can be refinished to look showroom splendid. Tile, as well, is paintable if it’s still in good condition. Add artwork, silk flowers, and attractive accessories. It’s amazing how fresh and striking the room becomes. We derive just as much satisfaction – sometimes more – from small-budget projects,” states the designer.

The complete story, ‘The Allure of The Bath’ can be seen in the September/October issue of Chester County Life Magazine. And, if you are looking for a bathroom refresh, call Carole Lee Interiors today to set up an appointment.