Mirrors don’t have to be exclusively for primping; there are many places in the home that can be spruced up by including aesthetically interesting mirrors.

Horizontal mirrors hung in groups create an unexpected window effect.  You get the advantage of light reflecting throughout the room and an interesting pattern upon the wall without the overwhelming quality of an uninterrupted mirror of this proportion.

Antiqued mirrors have a smokey beauty to them.  Use them anywhere that you do not need any true reflection, but would still like to bounce light around the room and add shine to the walls.

This mirror arrangement has a contemporary art feel to it.  The same square shape mirror used over and over again at varying angles draws the eye in then bounces it around.

Mirrors with elaborate, sculptural frames can substitute for artwork.  Sunburst frames are one of the most commonly seen mirrors and they can be found everywhere from pricey antique shops to contemporary, budget friendly stores.

Use mirrors in your home to accent artwork, highlight a wall, make a room seem larger, or serve as the focal piece in a room.

Photos: Elle Decor

Our bedroom is the one room that can completely make or break our day.  A good night’s sleep is so important for our waking hours,  it seems logical that the bedroom would be one of the most important rooms to decorate.  Beyond just making the room look pretty, it is essential to make it as restful and relaxing as possible.  The tips below will help you create a calming retreat in your bedroom (however, you can certainly apply these principles to any room where you would like a bit of serenity!)

• Use restful colors and a limited palate.  Stick to neutrals and muted colors.  Steer clear of reds, oranges, yellows, or anything too bright.  Though these colors are wonderful in other, livelier parts of the home, they will only serve to create energy and keep you awake. Try to use colors from nature.

• Calming colors will be most effective when used in large expanses, so make sure that your walls and rugs are pretty and subdued.
• Stick to symmetry.  It creates a sense of balance and order; think two nightstands, two lamps, matching pillows.
• Consider textures. Soft silks, cozy knits, rough sisals, and faux fur all contribute to an organic, tactile experience.  Use a variety of colors and textures in your bedding.  The sheets, duvet, coverlet, shams, and blanket should be a mix of fabrics that complement each other beautifully.

• While an overhead light might be functional, it is certainly not the most relaxing way to light your bedroom.  Use a variety of lamps and sconces to create an intimate feeling.  Pink, low wattage bulbs are the most flattering.
• Hang artwork that is peaceful.  Landscapes are the best option.  Limit photographs and mirrors; these pieces are too high energy for somewhere that you should be relaxing.

• Make sure to keep your nightstand uncluttered.  The last thing that you want to do is go to sleep to and wake up to a pile of to-do’s and mess.  This could mean using a nightstand that is too small to fit clutter.  A small vase of fresh flowers is a lovely thing to wake up to.

Use these tips to create your own version of the perfect restful retreat and remember that creating a calming bedroom is one of the best investments that you can make in your life and home.

Slipcovers do not have to be a look for the dated or for those who don’t want to invest in reupholstery.  A simple off white slipcover can span a range of styles from romantic to beachy to country to tailored.  Below are several examples of the versatility of slipcovers.

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Country Living

Children’s rooms are one of the  spaces in your home that you can go absolutely wild with color and design.  They are a wonderful space for whimsy and fun, however there is one large obstacle on the way to creating the perfect space for your child: disorganization.  Children and their toys, games, and other accoutrement are inherently messy, so it’s our job to come up with ways to organize the disorganization and make the space look stylish at the same time.

Use calming, soothing colors like the light blue above.  The less active the color in the room, perhaps the easier the child will relax in the evening and fall asleep.  Accent the relaxing color with bold primaries to keep it kid appropriate.

Make sure that all the storage bins coordinate.  Try an earthy wicker, painted wooden bins, or a durable plastic like the ones above.  These are an easy way to bring a sense of order to a child’s room.  Even if there is chaos within the bins, the outside appearance is one of harmony.  Storage can be incorporated almost anywhere.  Find a bed with room for storage bins or turn the bottom shelves of a bookcase into storage disguised by a curtain.  The more colorful and playful that the storage looks, the more likely your child is to look forward to cleaning up.

Photos: House to Home, Ruby Beets, Real Simple, Real Simple, House Beautiful

During our vacation last week, Linda and I were excited to visit the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.  Every year the museum holds their popular Native American Art Exhibit where they feature Native American culture.  This exhibit in particular focuses on current Native American artists and craftsmen, featuring the work of over 700 artists.

Often, clients will ask where interior designers draw their inspiration.  Inspiration was in abundance at this exhibit.  The colors, patterns, and materials all contribute to future design ideas.

The work pictured below is called the “Indigenous Evolution” by Tony Jojola, and Isleta and Rosemary Lonewolf.  It is an art fence that references the land and culture of the Southwest using clay and glass in a stunning array of colors.  Seeing works like this is an inspiration to design with a bold use of color and texture.

If you are building a new house or just renovating your kitchen, one of the big decisions to be made is what type of flooring to put in your kitchen.   Tile, wood, vinyl, and stone are all appropriate choices for different people.  How do you know which is the right one for your home?

While it will not last for generations, vinyl is  a good option for those looking for an option that will be inexpensive and easy to install yourself.  Vinyl can be tricky around the edges and at seams of a pattern.  You will have to take great care to cut very carefully and match the repeat of the pattern perfectly.  Vinyl is best for those looking for an interim flooring that will last them until they are ready to make a bigger investment.

Tile comes in a wide variety of looks.  You can get tile to look like almost any type of stone and in any color imaginable.  Make sure to have a professional installer measure so that you buy the exact amount that you need.  Dye lots can vary in color from day to day and if you come up short, it could be difficult to match your tile on a future trip to the supplier.  Tile is extremely durable and if a tile does become chipped or break, it is possible to replace it.  Installation can be expensive but is worth it because of the precise nature of laying tile patterns.  Glazed tile will stand up to stains much better than unglazed, so it is a better option in the kitchen.

Stone is one of your most durable options for the kitchen, and though it can be expensive and installation must be done by a professional, it will last for generations.  It is a beautiful, timeless look, but is not the best option for children or the elderly because when it becomes wet, it becomes extremely slippery.

Wood is a wonderful option because it can often be carried over from the other rooms in the house and contribute to an open flow throughout your home.  Wood is an extremely strong, durable material that will last the life of your home as long as it is kept in good shape and refinished when necessary.  One of the drawbacks is that it will show wear and tear in the finish in high traffic areas.

Each type of flooring has pros and cons, so it is important to make a decision based on your ability to invest at this time and just how durable of a floor you will need in your kitchen.

Extravagant Closets are one of those interior spaces that we can never get enough of. Endless space for expensive shoes, shiny marble floors, and flattering lighting.  If only we could all live like movie stars.

Photo: The Nanny Diaries

Photo: Sex and the City The Movie

Though we may not all be so lucky as to have closets the size of a bedroom or enough shoes to fill an entire wall full, there are ways to make your closet so organized and pretty, that getting dressed will be simple indulgence every single day.

Photo: Real Simple

Take advantage of all of the organizational tools that are available at discount stores like Target.  Matching plastic hangers, clear shoe boxes, and hanging sweater organizers are all useful and attractive ways to give your closet a dose of organization.

Photo: Real Simple

Use pegboards to organize everything from belts to jewelry to scarves to any accessory that can hang.

Photo: Real Simple

Though shoe racks are functional and a great option for closet organization, a graduated shoe rack such as this gives a look of luxury and display to your prettiest shoes.

Photo: Real Simple

Adding a mirror and a place to sit can take a simple walk in closet from a normal space to a lovely dressing area.

Photo: Coastal Living

A chandelier adds a touch of whimsy and character to your walk in closet.  Even if your closet is small, a beautiful piece like this can make a huge impact.

The kitchen table is often one of the most used pieces in our entire home.  It is truly the definition of a multi-tasking piece.  From science projects to bills to catching up with friends to actually eating, the kitchen table takes us from morning to night.  Because we spend so much time with this one piece of furniture,  it is essential to choose a table that meets both our needs and our style.  With practically unlimited choices in aesthetics and size, how does one begin the process of selecting the right kitchen table for their own home?

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Measure the size of your kitchen or breakfast nook.  You will want at least on each side of the table where there will be chairs.  Anything less makes it difficult to push the chair out.  Ideally, you will have more in the range of 3 feet, but this is not possible in all spaces.  A small round table fits nicely if you have a large, open kitchen and plan to break the space up with the table towards the middle.  A rectangle is nice when you are trying to separate a living area from the kitchen.

Photo: House to Home

How many people will typically dine at your kitchen table?  A small round table is a nice look, but is only practical for very small families.  If you have more than four people dining on a regular basis, then you should consider a rectangular table.  Do you need ample room for serving dishes in the middle of the table?  This will be an important consideration when choosing a table width.  Remember you can always get a table with additional leaves if large groups occur, but are a rarity.

Consider what kind of activities will be taking place at the kitchen table on a regular basis.  If you have children that will often do their homework, crafts, and playing at the table, then you will want to pick a table with an extremely durable top.  There are tables with marble, tile, and polyurethane coated woods that will stand up to all sorts of marks and spills.  If you have a contemporary style, you could even go for a plastic or metal style.  Whatever material you choose, you just have to remember that you do not want to buy a table that you have to tiptoe around.

Photo: Veranda

Lastly, you will want to decide on a style.  There are endless options available on the market today.  Depending on the style of your kitchen, you could do anything from a rustic, farmhouse table, to a french country pedestal table, to a contemporary, clean lined plastic table.

Photo: Hickory Chair

As one of the most versatile pieces and biggest investments that you will make in your home, it is worth sitting down and giving thought to the considerations that go into choosing the right kitchen table.  You’ll end up with an attractive and functional table that takes you from morning to night and from reading the paper to sneaking a late night snack.

Clear, trendy, and contemporary, lucite furniture is a wonderful way to add a touch of the unexpected to your home.

Photo: Veranda

Lucite can be found in a wide variety of applications in the home.  Lamps, tables, and seating are all readily available in lucite.

Photo: House Beautiful

Lucite stools accented with deep turquoise fabric are a fresh addition to a more classic pedestal dining table.

Photo: Keno Brothers

Photo: Traditional Home

A traditional bed and vanity are given a youthful twist by adding a lucite bench seat.

Photo: Geoffrey Bradfield

The contemporary lines of this geometric coffee table complement the curvilinear lines of the furniture and the neutral tones of the room.

Photo: Architectural Digest