Beautiful hardwood looks best when you can see it and for that reason stairs look wonderful when left bare.  The shine of newly polished wood stairs in any color from a light maple to a dark ebony looks striking and elegant.  Bare hardwood floors may not be the best option, however, if you have children or pets.  Little feet and paws can slip on hardwood and without a buffer, it can be a rather uncomfortable fall.

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: Traditional Home

If you don’t want the chore of vacuuming a carpeted stair runner but love the contrast of color against the wood, then a painted stairway is a good option.  The wear and tear in the middle of the stairs where there is the most traffic just adds a shabby, casual touch, however the paint can also be touched up easily.  This can be an advantage over a carpet runner where the entire runner must be replaced.  Look for a floor paint which will be  the most durable and the least slippery.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Tiled stairs are an exotic, free spirited look that can look at home in a house with bohemian design or one with much more traditional design if the color palettes complement each other.

Photo: Coastal Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Stair runners are most often seen in family homes because not only do they add a bit of color and texture to the stairs, but they protect the hardwood from constant wear.    A runner provides a bit of traction to prevent falls and buffer anything that is dropped.   Try a sisal or small scale pattern with a border for a stylish yet family friendly look.  Stripes or growing patterns play off stairs and elongate the stairwell.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Consider the look of your home and your family’s needs in deciding whether to cover the stairs or bare the hardwood.  As seen in the images above, both looks can be stylish and sophisticated or homey and casual.  Choose what works best for your household.

With September quickly approaching, Ciao Interiors continues work on the new construction home that will display talented design and local craftsmanship in the Parade of Homes.  We’re in preparation for the lighting to go in and can’t wait to see how these new fixtures will look.  See below for images of where the lighting will go in.

Sconces Outside the Garage

Sconces on the Deck Outside the Living Room

Sconces on the Deck Outside the Dining Room/Kitchen

Front Entry

Interior or Front Entry

Stunning View out the Living Room Window

Dining Area

North Bedroom

South Bedroom

Staircase down with Spots for Sconce and Ceiling Mount Fixture

Bar will have Over the Bar Ceiling Fixture

Bright Family Room with 2 Sconces

With two months to go, we’re anxiously awaiting the completion of this beautiful home.  Stay tuned for more pictures and updates throughout the construction and design process.

It’s easy to throw a bunch of hand me downs into an extra space, call it a guest bedroom, and create a perfectly fine place for overnight guests to stay, but with a few small touches, you can create a room that is a wonderful and welcoming place for your guests to spend the night.

• Keep sentimental belongings to a minimum and limit any knick knacks or overly personal touches.  Just the bare essentials creates a more restful room.

• Stick to neutral decor.  Use taupes, beiges, and calming blues to create a universally appealing room.  While trendy, loud colors can make a big impression, they may not be what every guest wants to see first thing in the morning.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Store extra linens in the room and make sure to let your guests know where they are.  If they need to replace the sheets or grab a new towel for any reason, they won’t have to disturb you at an inconvenient hour.

• Use the best quality sheets that you can budget for the guest room and find a pretty coverlet with complementing throw pillows to create a comfortable, relaxing bed.

Photo: Coastal Living

• A small sitting area is the perfect place for your guests to retreat at night.  They can read a book or newspaper before bed without feeling like they are getting in the way of your nightly routine.

• Good lighting is essential. Don’t leave your guests in the dark for bedside reading or getting ready in the morning.

• Since we don’t often spend time in the guest bedroom at night, we may not realize that the room is visible to the street or neighbors at night.  Make sure to provide privacy in the windows.

• Leave a small tray with toiletry essentials and a few snacks so that your guests won’t feel like they are bothering you if they realize that they left something at home or find themselves hungry.

Photo: My Home Ideas

With Father’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to give our fathers and husbands a say in home decor.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Metropolitan Home

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

When building a new home or remodeling your current one, there are many decisions regarding the exterior that can make an impact on the energy efficiency of the home.

• Paint the house a light color.  This reflects light and reduces the need for air conditioning in the summer as it prevents light from heating up the home.

• Install as many windows as possible to let light in.  The more natural light that filters into your home, the less you will rely on artificial lighting and the lower your energy bill.

Photo: Country Living

• Shade windows in the summer, open them to natural light during the winter.  The sun can naturally heat rooms much more than one would think.  A shaded room is much cooler than one being overwhelmed by the sun’s rays during the summer.  This does not necessarily have to be done with window treatments.  Use deciduous trees planted strategically to let light in or provide shelter depending on the season.



• Building materials such as brick and stone are slow to heat and slow to cool.  This means they warm up with the sun in the winter and continue to keep that heat inside during the evening.  During the summer, these materials protect from the heat because of the slow to heat property.

• The same goes for interior building materials.  If you live in a hot climate, brick, stone, and ceramic tile are ideal flooring options because they are slow to heat in the beating sun.  If you live in a cold climate, these materials will heat up as the day goes on.

The choices you make on the exterior of your home can play a huge role both environmentally and aesthetically.  Attractive choices such as windows, paint, and natural building materials can have much more a of a green impact than one might imagine!

Ciao Interiors is thrilled to have the opportunity to design, project manage, and furnish a new home for the Parade of Homes in September.  The house is a great example of the beauty that comes from using all locally produced stone and wood as well as expert craftsmanship.  Enjoy the images below for a preview of what’s to come in this new construction home.  The masonry rock on the exterior and interior fireplace is currently in the process of being finished, the structural beams are in place, and the next steps is to hand plaster the walls in the rich colors shown below.  This house will be a wonderful addition to the Parade of Homes of interior design from beginning to end and the details that can be achieved with local materials and hand craftsmanship.

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.

Can’t find that perfect sofa you’ve been searching for?  Well, look no further, because Lee Industries has something for everyone with their endless amount of styles and customizable options.  They offer a great selection of fabrics and leather, and you can personalize everything from the trim, finish, cushions, and even the size!

One of our favorites at Ciao’s, and new to the showroom, is this wedge sofa from Lee Industries.  It’s perfect for conversation with its slight curve, and can cozy up any room.  Shown here in a slipcover option for easy cleaning, but also available fully upholstered for a more tailored look.

Right now you can order any of Lee’s pieces without breaking the bank!   Choose your favorite style, covering, and size and you will save 40% off for a limited time!!  For more details, contact us at Ciao Interiors.

When many of us think of pink rooms, we think of a ballerina pink for little girls or a hot fuchsia in a tween’s bedroom.  Pink does not have to be childish at all!  In the spirit of the month, we are going to look at pink rooms that are not only grown up, but stylish as well.  To ease into pink, opt for pale shades that can pass as neutrals.   Grays, tans, and whites offset the sweetness of a pink and give it a sophisticated side.  You can also make your pale pink look glamorous with gold accents and shiny mirrors or crystal lamps.  With a bold pink, pair it with black and a little animal print to create an edgy look or contrast it against crisp white.  Use the pictures below as inspiration to incorporate pink and its spirit of youth and vibrancy into your home this February.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: Ciao Interiors

Photo: Jonathan Adler

It’s hard to believe that at Ciao Interiors we have been members of Ava Living since February 2009.  With internet being a playground for do-it-yourself-ers, we decided to join the fun.  We love how Ava Living has made the design process an easy to way for the consumer to get their feet wet and interact with designers, without even leaving the home!

As designers, we love the constant range of projects and the ease of advising consumers outside of our area seeking design help. It’s also a quick way for us to hone in on a space and utilize our design skills, keeping us “up to date” with today’s consumer.

Do you have a question about your space?  Need a space plan or help with product selection? Right now you can receive 30% off all design services with Ava Living until February 1^st, 2010.

Here is an example of a completed room review by designer Les Bernabi.

Tracy’s Living/Dining Room

“Your room projects a personality that is eclectic,   whimsical, and down-to-earth. The mood it strikes is casual, quirky, and carefree.”

Hi Tracy,

Thanks so much for requesting a room review, it looks like you could have a fun time trying to recreate your spaces to fit the mold of Indiana Jones and the Biltmore Library. For the purpose of review I will treat the individual room as one space, based on your photos and floorplan it appears as one large area……

Continue reading this room review at Ava Living.