It takes experience and repetition to fully understand the beauty and differences of Modern and Contemporary interior design styles. It takes a skillful eye to determine which design elements fall under which category. It is not an easy task. It is challenging. But once a space takes on a style I’ve been dressing it up in, it makes my world just that much better.

Modern Interior Design

Modern Interior Design is the most misunderstood design style. Contemporary style is to blame for it. In reality, modern and contemporary designs are two very different styles. Modern style refers to a designated time period at the turn of the 20th century, with roots in German Bauhaus and Scandinavian Styles. Modern design features a simple and natural look, earthy tones, and “empty” nooks, and crannies. Frank Lloyd Wright once said: “Form Follows Function”. That pretty much sums it up when it comes to modern design. Every element of the space should have its purpose. Every piece of furnishing should serve a function. Every piece of decor should hold its place and purpose. If it doesn’t, it can be eliminated. That is the basics of modern design. Modern design is clean. It incorporates straight, clean, architectural lines. It does not tolerate fussiness. Open Space feel is a must. The main color palette is beiges, whites, and dramatic darks (even as bold as black). The main emphasis is on earthy, neutral tones and the darks come into play to create some “drama”, an accent, a focal point. It allows for some patterns but is minimal. Preferred finishes are natural, unpainted, unfinished woods, metals, natural fibers, leathers, and/or eco-friendly leathers. Modern design loves reflective surfaces: glass, chrome, steel. Straight, low lines are preferred over curves. If there is an opportunity for a structural element, such as beams or concrete, to be exposed, GRAB it! That will create a unique, natural, and most pleasing “eyesore” in the space.

There is one main similarity between Modern and Contemporary Styles and that is the love of minimalistic look and cleanliness of design.

Contemporary Interior Design

Contemporary Interior Design refers to current design trends. Word Contemporary means “belonging to or occurring in the present”. Having stated the origin of the name of this style, contemporary styles offer plenty of details from the past and offer design elements from several interior design styles. Art-Deco elements mixed with a futuristic vision of the space along with borrowing details from different eras is what sets it apart from Modern Style. Contemporary style is an ever-evolving style, as trends change, visions change and more daring approaches are readily accepted. You will see bold, bright colors in contemporary spaces mixed in with some earthy tones and elements. Curvier lines of furnishings are often seen with this style. Metals are a hit with this style. You will notice the presence of nickel, stainless steel, and chrome. You may find a contemporary designed space somewhat eclectic, and that would be completely justified, because of the presence of bold colors and the mix of several generations of styles. There is one main similarity between Modern and Contemporary Styles and that is the love of minimalistic look and cleanliness of design. No matter how eclectic and involved contemporary design becomes or how simple and earthy modern design looks, it is quite striking how much these styles stand out from the rest. Both of these styles affect my clients as they either love them or cannot live in them. There is not an in-between. The daring behavior of both of these design styles is what I absolutely love and admire!

There is no correct answer to that. When I see a home, I see many factors. I see the exterior and I see the interior of that home. I look for clues, such as architectural details on the outside as well as on the inside. What do the curves, angles, arches tell me? They set the tone. Lines are a magical tool. Simple lines, but they determine so much.

Straight lines throughout the interior of the space (window frames, door frames, straight ceiling) usually talk Modern, Contemporary, Transitional, Mid-Century, Mid-Century modern.

Curvy lines throughout the interior of a space (bay windows, arched hallways, arched doorways) tell a story of Traditional and Classic styles. There is a catch! The catch is that a professional eye with experience in design can stretch those lines into a design style you’re looking to achieve. For example, let’s take the vaulted ceiling as an architectural detail. Vaulted ceilings can be worked in Modern, Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern styles as well as Traditional, Transitional and Classic styles. A designer knows her/his how-to’s without creating the separation of different design elements. Of course, some of the architectural details need to be given respect and style they have earned.

The exterior of a home could possibly play a role in determining your interior style. Many clients of mine like the idea of bringing the outside in. And for continuum and design flow purposes it can be a good idea. Some clients of mine like the idea of keeping the outside out and inside in. Don’t judge the book by its cover, that is. You may see a house dressed in traditional architecture, but the interior of it is a very different style, or the architecture of the exterior of a home can be Modern/Contemporary, but the interior is done in Shabby Chic style.

As a designer, I’m in tune with both, the architecture of the exterior and interior. My job is to create a functional, beautiful, flawless space that makes sense for your home and your personal taste and style. More often than not, my clients seek my opinion on whether they should incorporate as many existing features into the design and my answer always is “that would be a good thing to do, unless that is, you would like the existing features to not be noticeable”.

The exterior of a home could possibly play a role in determining your interior style.

I have recently worked on a project which inspired this paragraph. A residential home that featured traditional elements throughout the interior of the home. The homeowners were not the number one fan of those features but were not in the position to demo and rebuild. The answer was the following: why don’t we dress those features up with a slightly different style, and make that style VISIBLE so one’s eye does not even notice the details you don’t want it to notice. We decided on Transitional with a touch or two….or three….of Modern. We added a mix of Transitional and Modern Furnishings. Dressed those furnishings in a mix of light colors and bold graphics. Added glass, smooth woods, and just a notch of metal as materials. Dressed the space up with light, bold-patterned window treatments. Added Transitional Style Lighting to the space. Accessorized it all with gentle florals, unique tabletop pieces, and playful decor. That did it! It did wonders for the space. The design created exactly what our plan aimed at. Was I happy? ABSOLUTELY! Were my clients happy? They were THRILLED!

No matter the dilemma you may have when it comes to designing your home; no matter the goals you set to achieve in designing or remodeling your home; no matter the obstacles you may meet along the way to get the results you desire, remember nothing is impossible. There is a world of possibilities out there to work with when it comes to designing the interior of your home. Knowledge, talent, experience, and love for design are what make it possible!

One of the most common issues I see when my clients decide to go DIY is getting overwhelmed. Indeed, renovating, designing and decision making that comes along are overwhelming. A lot of times the constant lingering of “what if I’m doing it wrong” persists. Doubts, questioning each step is normal, especially if you’ve never taken on this kind of task. Working with contractors can be tricky. Most contractors work on deadlines. They need answers and they need them “yesterday” in order to move quickly and efficiently. That puts even more pressure on homeowners and the process itself. Finalizing and implementing stages can get confusing, as these require organization and tracking to ensure correct items and quantities are ordered at the best prices and timely arrive.

One of the first things to do when starting a renovation or design process no matter how big or small is a plan. Having a plan, knowing what you’re aiming for in the space is a great start. A space plan draft, a 3D drawing, or a simple hand sketch will put things in perspective for you. Let your imagination go, you’re only doing it on a piece of paper or a computer program. No damage can be done. Once you have let your imagination go, the next thing is to make sure that all those pesky walls that are in the way of your happiness can be demolished (make sure they are not weight-bearing walls). Once your imagination and your walls can co-exist, talk to someone (preferably us) to make sure your image is implementational. If it is, hooray, time to move forward!

A finish schedule is the next step. Choosing the right materials and finishes for your space is overwhelming. There are so many options and choices out there and let’s admit it, the more choices there are, the more questions and doubts they provoke. Even if you decide you’re set in stone on something, once you’re out there, among countless wood finishes, wall color choices, tile options, vanity choices, cabinetry colors (and I can go on), doubting your decision is only neutral. This is when it truly helps to have a designer by your side who can gently pivot you in the right direction. Ordering, buying, and sorting thru “what did I forget” in itself is a very timely task and can become a pricey one. Perhaps keeping an excel spreadsheet or a designer handy isn’t a bad idea.

One of the first things to do when starting a renovation or design process no matter how big or small is a plan.

A lot of times I’m in situations where people let their taste dictate the style of their home. Absolutely, what you like is what you get! But I always suggest taking into consideration the space itself, your home’s architectural features. The last thing I, as a designer, want to see is a disconnect between the style and the space. Continuity and flow between interior style and interior space are priceless when it comes to transitioning a home into a designed space.

Installation is the final stage. This is another place where those floor plans, 3D drawings, and sketches come in handy. If you have those, the install should be fun and easy. You look at your sketch and you know exactly where each thing goes. If you, by accident, missed that first step, then it is, yet, another challenge. But the good news is that there are only so many walls, nooks, and crannies, and eventually you’ll get it! I have faith in you!

All and all, DIY is a great thing and there is help out there on the web that can truly make it easier. But working with a designer will save you time and money, eliminate those sweaty palms each time you need to make a decision, and make it fast and confidently.

Good luck! We hope we hear from ya!

Home staging is a proper presentation of a home, its flow, and its full potential. There’s is a big difference between walking into an empty space and walking into a home that displays a full scope of the flow and the possibilities of space to potential buyers. A 10’x10’ empty square cannot appeal to the naked eye as it could once a designer translates that square into a beautiful cozy space.

“Buyers want to see their lifestyle in a new home.”

Possibilities, when it comes to staging, are endless. From a staging point of view, it doesn’t matter what age your home is. It doesn’t matter the size of the rooms. We will take all that into consideration while coming up with a plan for your home staging, which will display the full potential of the space. It is important to remove items that make your home “yours”. Potential buyers aren’t interested in your stuff. Your home, as hard as it may be, should be completely un-personalized. Family photos, pet paintings, statuettes that mean so much to you should be tucked deep in your heart for the time being and packed away. The silver lining of temporarily separating yourself from your most precious, most meaningful objects and memories is that once you see them again, they will be just so much more darling and precious.

We, as professional interior designers, know of many tricks that can make your space look bigger, lighter, open, breathable, and gorgeous. For smaller spaces, keeping it light, airy, and neutral is the thing to do. Making sure it doesn’t become boring by being too neutral is the key to success. For larger spaces, the combination of light colors and dramatic effects works wonders. Keeping the flow open, not stuffing every corner with an object, not filling every wall with art pieces, having just the right amount of decor is very important. Accessorizing is very important, but tasteful accessories and just the right amount of it is what creates the coziness and the wow factor. Openness creates personal space and people respond to it favorably.

Buyers want to see their lifestyle in a new home. They want to know how they will spend their time in a home, how will the flow of a home translate into their daily activities. That’s what they are looking for when they look for their future home. And that’s exactly what we will show them. Remember, staging is all about a potential buyer. Staging has one goal, and that is to make sure your home and the space within your home is shown in the best light, full of positive favorable possibilities. Knowledge of interior design, understanding of any space, and the right amount of love for designing is the perfect combination to achieve complete success while selling one of the most precious and heartfelt things in your life and your home.

No, I’m not vegan, but I’ve come to realize one doesn’t have to be to fall in love with luxurious polyethylene fabric I’d like to talk about. It is finally here, the day we waited for excitedly and dreaded at the same, as introducing furnishings in that fabric as part of an interior design formula for the space is not cheap. Our family needed new seating furniture for our living room. As a designer, I’ve seen it all, I’ve sat in it all, I’ve felt it all. I knew I didn’t want leather. I knew I didn’t want upholstered. The couch we were replacing was slipcover, which I loved, but been there done that. The search had begun. I was settled on what’s called vegan leather but didn’t feel all that attracted to the usual stuff, the pleather. I certainly had my doubts about the durability and the smell of the material I was about to dunk myself and my family in. My smell sensitivity is a gift and a curse at the same time. The dog and I share lots of secrets. As it turned out, leather alternatives have come a long way, a very long way away from good-ole pleather, and can truly enrich any interior with its presence.

I discovered Brisa. Brisa is an incredibly soft and luxurious faux leather fabric. Yup, it’s fabric. It is the first polyurethane fabric designed with a unique ventilation system that enables it to breathe no matter how long you use the chair, therefore keeping you cool and comfortable without that sticky feeling. They have so many gorgeous colors to choose from. Anything from settled colors to bright “sparks your brain” colors. The variety is amazing. From an interior design point of view, having so many color options in this fabric is truly a solution to challenging spaces. We chose a dark grey sofa and flamingo chair for our living room. We could not be more pleased with the way the colors came out on the furniture.

Back to the serious stuff. After doing much research about polyethylene fabric, I learned about its many benefits. Animal hides and skins get treated with toxins, which over time could absorb into our skin. Yuck! Leather alternative materials are gentler, cleaner, and are much healthier for babies, children, and adults alike. These fabrics don’t attract dust and dirt, as animal skins would because of their natural oiliness. They are also very easy to clean. And at this point, I can attest to that. A damp rag with a little tiny bit of soap or alcohol does the job brilliantly! Leather alternative fabrics are hypoallergenic.

Those folks who are allergic to animal furs, dander and feathers, are the happiest client. No more sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.

I’ve seen too many people upset about all the scratches that end up showing on their leather furniture. I call it “dipping into the vintage stage” of leather’s life. I, personally, can be quite attracted to that look, depending on the type of leather at hand. But many people get leather furnishings because they want that flawless look. And to be perfectly honest, not all designs nor interior spaces can take the “dipping into the vintage stage”. I always warn my clients that leather “ages”, meaning scratches and your body’s natural oils will overtime penetrate the leather and it will show. The “vintage” look will kick in and sometimes too soon. Leather alternative fabrics are very durable. They don’t scratch. They don’t soak up the oils of your skin and hair. If you have animals, who watch your favorite tv shows with you on THEIR sofa, this option may just be your best friend. There is a reason why Tesla chose Brisa fabric for their cars!

No, I’m not promoting one option vs the other. I’m simply sharing my own experience and knowledge I acquired while in the process of looking for my perfect furnishings.

The bottom line is this. We love our new living room furniture. Design and colors create the perfect combination and style I was aiming for. The bonus: no smell, no scratches, and absolutely no regrets!

One of the first things I always recommend considering, when it comes to any home remodel, renovation, make-over or face-lift is your wall color. I meet a lot of people who want to change or update the design of a certain space, they want it to look and feel different. These are very reasonable and doable desires. There is one very important aspect to a make-over of any space that we cannot overlook: your wall color. Depending on the design style you decide to shoot for, look around your space and ask yourself if beige wall color will work with Mid-Century design you’ve been wanting to transform your space into; if that red accent wall will mix well with a Bohemian Style Living Room you’ve been dreaming about; if light grey walls will work with your soon-to-be French Country Master Suite. Wall color can be challenging as any color changes its shade depending on the wall it’s applied to and the time of the day. But with the right guidance, a choice you’ll be happy with is right around the corner.

The right flooring is equally important to consider in your home renovation project. And when I say right flooring, I mean, color, durability, and your taste. Certain wood species do best with certain wood stains. Tailoring the stain to fit perfectly with the wall color is a delicate process. Choosing the right carpet is a tricky business. Carpet can easily enhance the looks of a space but it can also as easily diminish it. The right color and texture are the two most important points to consider when it comes to carpet aesthetics. Do you prefer Nylon versus Polyester fiber or Olefin versus Wool? Do you prefer Cut Pile texture versus Loop or Cut-Loop texture versus Berber? Durability is just as important to bring into the conversation. Do you have children or pets? What are the highest traffic areas in your home? Do you mind having different flooring types on one floor, in one particular space, versus the other? Whether you choose engineered wood or real wood, or porcelain wood-looking tile or carpet, seeking professional advice has absolutely no downside to it!

The design flow of your home as a whole should always be kept in mind when remodeling or renovating your house.

Stairs and Railings (if you have those). This piece of “equipment” cannot be avoided, or has to be at least talked about, while your home is getting its make-over. You probably don’t want to have a grey wash hardwood floors on the first floor and cherry wood handrails and treads running up to the second story. Yes, you can have contrast, absolutely! But if you do decide the contrast is the thing to do, then make it drastic! Show the contrast off! If you don’t want the contrast, then I would suggest sticking close to the wood stain, if you choose wood as your flooring.

Recessed lighting and lighting fixtures! Most likely, your home already has recessed lights installed, therefore I won’t talk about these much (but if you don’t, I’d highly recommend installing them!). Many homes I walk into have builder-installed lighting fixtures in most rooms. While a homeowner may be perfectly ok with the “most likely” version of a ceiling light fixture, it would be much better to find a suitable replacement from a design standpoint. Lighting fixtures should be chosen to create harmony with other design elements of the space. They shouldn’t stand out nor should they become a focal point. Instead, a lighting fixture should add uniqueness and character to the design.

We can dissect your home into spaces it entails, but that will take a whole lot of your time to read about. Besides, that’s my job, and not to bore you, my client, with behind-the-scenes details, is one of my job descriptions. The thing to remember is: design flow of your home as a whole, should always be kept in mind when remodeling or renovating your house. Spaces intersect with one another. While you can have a couple of rooms designed in a completely different style from the rest of your house, it makes sense to create a flow for areas that are visibly open and situated next to one another.

Now, let’s touch upon the fun part of your home’s make-over. The stuff that happens closer to the finish line. The stage of the design process that you’ll enjoy participating in. That is picking and choosing elements for your space. This is where I let my imagination and creativity rule, but at the same time keep things functional and within the budget. I won’t overwhelm you, that’s a promise. I do understand that seeing dozens of pieces of furniture and many other elements that may end up in your space, can, indeed, be a bit too much, unless of course, that’s your preference. This is my favorite part of the process, my “soft spot”. And I’m good, and I mean great kind of good, at it! This is where I translate everything you have told me, big or small, during our initial meet and greet, into the space, into the design. This is when the magic happens.

No matter how big or small your home renovation, remodel, update, or make-over may be, I put my heart and soul into every inch of it! “

Home Remodel Before

Home Remodel After

Home Remodel Before

Home Remodel After

There are two reasons for it: 1. It helps my clients see the space, not just see pieces that will go into a space, but actually see the functionality of the space once the space plan is created and interpreted into a 3D drawing. 2. It is fun! Oh, it’s so much fun!

“When my clients see the drawings before them, all becomes clear and decisions come easily.”

Here is a fun fact, I used to be terrified of lines! Drawing perfectly measured straight lines on a piece of tracing paper and then transferring them onto a piece of vellum paper took bravery and lots of it (yes, I am, what I call, from in between ages, coming from an age when vellum and hand-drafting were still in fashion and AutoCad was just being created). But then I got it perfect once, then twice, then the third time, and there was no going back, there was no going to anything other than designing, drafting, creating. I found my perfect destination, the design field!

I have many clients who are attracted to the idea and the look of it. But what is it about Transitional style that pulls people in?

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “Transition” means passing from one stage, state, subject or place to another. This pretty much nails it. Transitional Design Style is a combination of traditional and modern design elements. It’s a way for an “old” to yield to the “new” and up-coming. It’s not an easy task. It takes a lot of creativity. It takes an understanding of when to brace when putting the two very different styles into one space.

People have attachments to things, styles, memories that aren’t easy to let go of. It can be uncomfortable and at times scary. This is where Transitional Design makes a real difference. We don’t have to let go of the style we are most comfortable with. We don’t have to make a drastic change. We incorporate. We pick and we choose and we combine.

Heavier traditional upholstered furnishings take on a new look with softer lines and lighter fabrics. Darker cherry and oak woods are replaced with lighter tones, straighter lines and perhaps, even glass or metal. A couple of ornate pieces of furniture that would make a statement in the room, can be a wonderful asset to the design. Lighting can be classy or tuned down, depending on other elements we choose.

The rug! I cannot begin to explain the importance of a rug, not just any rug, but the right rug for the space. Rugs are where your eye settles after it leaves a focal point of the room. There are couple of ways to build every space: we can build up from the rug or we can choose a rug based on what’s already in the space. For me, there is no “right” way of doing it, it simply depends on the space I’m working on. A lot is determined by the rug. Simply put, it brings the main flow of the room together. That flow is where most of your time will be spent while in the space.

We make a statement with artwork. Every wall does not need to have a piece of art on it. It can be very few pieces of artwork, but they should make a statement and can be bold and bright or a mix of Old World Art and Contemporary Art.

Window treatments, something to budget for. They are one of the key expressions of any chosen style. To complete a Transitional look, neutral color, even darker shades of neutral color pallet, does the trick. We can use patterns —bold and large patterns work the best.

Last, but not least, we accessorize with color, at times flashy color, and patterns that aren’t too busy. Accessorizing is what brings it all together to perfect harmony. We may even add some “bling” to a space just to create some glamorous elements. All of a sudden, a space becomes fresh, light, beautiful, and easy to breathe in but at the same time somewhat familiar and recognizable by a traditional eye.

All of the described elements work in any space of your soon-to-be Transitional Style home. There is, however, one space that requires special attention. Yes, you guessed it, your personal oasis, the master suite. An upholstered headboard goes a long way in Transitional Setting. The headboard becomes a focal point of a master suite. Your eye finds it as soon as you step into the space. The headboard can be tufted or it can have a clean look.

Velvet works wonders on upholstered headboards in a Transitional setting. It truly makes a statement. Velvet is on the heavier side of fabrics, therefore, its presence is hard to miss. When using velvet, don’t be afraid to go bold with color. Velvet loves color. It wears it, oh so well, don’t shy away. If you decide to befriend linen, cotton, chenille, or polyester as your fabric of choice, neutral colors work the best with those fabrics.

What we choose to use on the headboard will dictate the rest of the room. From that point, we will decide on materials for the rest of the room. Don’t forget about the rug! The master suite is one space I love using Shag Rugs or high pile area rugs. It feels wonderful to put your feet on one of those when getting out of bed in the mornings.

Once again, accessorize! That’s what brings it all together, makes it complete. The nightstand lamp next to a hydrangea flower setting, pictures of your loved ones next to decorative clear glass jars, tall candle holder or two here and there, and some “bling” and shine, all make the world of difference.

And there you have it. The Transitional Design where an “old” yields to the “new”!

There is no surprise that foam fill is the most popular. There are several reasons that make it the most wanted fill. For one, it requires minimum work to keep it “in shape”, it is very resistant to wear and sagging, and if you plan on keeping these cushions long term, this option is perfect. It comes in variety of densities. High density tends to be not very soft, therefore some people may find it a bit uncomfortable. But if you like sitting in “proper posture, that’d probably be the best choice for you. Medium density is the one people tend to find the most comfortable. You don’t feel “swallowed” by your couch and you won’t have “saggy” posture. Memory foam is another option. Yes, it’s firm, but is a favorite for people with back issues.

Feather/Down fills are perfect for people who like soft seating. It does require some maintenance, such as fluffing and turning cushions over to keep it from “flattening” and getting “bumpy” since feathers tend to clump together overtime.

If you’re on a budget, poly fill is your friend. It also comes in different densities, similar to foam. It’s very durable and “bounces”-back. It is perfect for people who have feather/down allergies and for those who are out to save the birds!

It’s time to pick out your cushions!

The little samples homeowners bring home from home improvement stores could be helpful, but the size of the sample makes it nearly impossible to understand the big picture. Therefore, if you are certain your walls will be repainted, I’d strongly suggest getting a pint of the wall colors you like and putting a sizable smudge of the same paint on each wall of the room you’re planning on painting. If you have 4 different colors in mind, the same thing, put a smudge of each color on each wall. This way as the light changes you’ll be able to see the changes colors take. Or you can always hire a professional to help out.