Inspired by Italia!

Inspired by Italia!

 This summer, I was lucky enough to take my second trip to Italy with a couple of my friends. This will definitely be an experience that I remember forever! In fact, this trip is the reason I started this blog to begin with. Each day, I would write to my family and friends and talk about my day and what I experienced. It made me realize how much I missed writing about the things that inspire me... so here we are!

 

As a detour away from my normal posts about design and architecture in the home, I invite you to come on this journey with me as I reminisce on my experience in one of the most historically influential cities in the world: Rome, Italy.
 

Mass transit is a popular mode of transportation in many major cities all across the world. However... I can guarantee you that the view you have when you get off the metro at the "Colosseo" stop in Rome is like no other. 

I'm not kidding. THIS.IS.THE.VIEW.

 

The Colosseum is arguably the most iconic building in the world. It's estimated to have been able to hold between 50,000-80,000 spectators. I went to The University of Georgia and our football stadium holds just over 92,000 people. It's beyond impressive to stand in the heart of Rome and see the Colosseum. The one downside to visiting the Colosseum are the lines to get in... so here's a helpful hint: When you buy a ticket to the Colosseum, you also get tickets to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Here's the key to saving yourself quite a bit of time... buy your tickets at the Roman Forum (it's only 5 minutes away). You won't regret spending time in the Forum and I'm not kidding, the views from the top of Palatine Hill are amazing! Once you've basked in all this beauty, you'll get to walk directly into Colosseum!

 

Ever since my Art History class in college, I've been in awe of the Pantheon. It's not as well known as some other Roman architecture, but I actually got a little teary-eyed when I saw it for the first time in person (yep... I'm a girl who sheds tears over historic buildings... and I think that makes me awesome).

There are two things in particular that strike me about this building. The first is the oculus that's located at the top of the dome. An oculus is a fancy word for a "round opening". On a rainy day, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than watching the rain come through the top of this building! On to my other favorite part...

The doors.

I'm not sure what else I can say... but they are massive and amazing. I have a "thing" about cool doors. I'm pretty sure I could fill an entire photo album with the amount of pictures I made my friends take of me standing by amazing doors. The bronze doors at the entrance to the Pantheon were once covered in gold. Could you imagine alllllll that gold?!!

 

The next photo sums up one of the items I talked the most about when I got back to the states.

Say hello to my little friend, the fountains! There are hundreds of these fountains all over Rome and I'll be honest, when I was told that it was OK to drink from them, I thought it was crazy! After baking in the hot sun for a little while longer, I decided to give the fountain water a try. Holy life-changing experience! It was delicious. These fountains are fed from the ancient Roman aqueducts and provide some of the coldest, most fresh water I've ever tasted. If you take a trip there... buy one water bottle at the beginning of your trip and never buy another... just keep filling it up with this amazing H20 treat!

 

It's a good thing I discovered the fountains because water was seriously necessary on the climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. My friend Katie, who is a high school Latin teacher here in Atlanta, served as an incredible tour guide during this trip... but I'm not gonna lie... I totally gave her the "stink eye" about halfway up the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter's. We joked that they needed to have inspirational posters with a picture of Pope Francis saying "Only 200 steps to go" or "You're 400 steps closer to heaven"... all I'll say is that some kind of encouragement would have been appreciated on that trek!!

That "stink eye" I mentioned earlier disappeared the second I saw this view. It took my breath away (that also could have been the 551 steps to get here... but that's besides the point)! I would highly HIGHLY recommend climbing to the top. On the way down... we made a pit stop and I took one of my favorite pictures from the whole trip!

 

I mean, really. How much more picturesque can it get?

 

There are many, many things that Rome is famous for, but let's be honest... what's Italy without gelato? Nope, not ice cream... gelato. Gelato actually has less fat content than ice cream which is freaking awesome since we frequented Giolitti twice a day!!

Giolitti is the oldest gelateria in Rome and was founded in 1890. It lives up to the reputation it has created for itself. You literally can't have enough. I tried to be a polite American and order my gelato in Italian... I insisted on having a "cupola" of gelato. I suppose I should have ordered a cup instead of a dome, but hey... I tried!

 

I always say that inspiration is everywhere... you just have to be open to seeing it. A trip to the other side of the world isn't necessary. One of my favorite quotes is this:

 

"Things don't have to be extraordinary to be beautiful... even the ordinary can be beautiful."

 

I challenge you to find something in the next day or week or month that inspires you! Once you do, I'd love to see it, so send me an email, or post a comment below!

 

Until Next Time... Stay Inspired!

All photos are my own. 

Design-Build... or Bust!

Design-Build... or Bust!

 If you're thinking of doing a home renovation, you might be asking yourself "Where do I start?" Remodeling can be a scary endeavor, but, like most things... if you're working with the right people, this experience should be smooth sailing across the renovation seas!
 

I am lucky enough to work for one of the top design-build firms in Atlanta, Renewal Design-Build. Let me explain the "design-build" philosophy as it may not be something you're too familiar with. Everything you need to complete a renovation, we have "in-house". We have renovation consultants, a team of designers and architects, as well as project managers and estimators. It is our sole focus to take your dream... develop it during the design phase... and make it a reality during the production phase! I know I may be a little biased, but when you're making investments as large as this into your home, it's important to be educated... and I think design-build is the way to go. Here are just a few reasons why.


A ranch renovation in Atlanta completed by Renewal. Take a look at Houzz.com to learn more!
 

This dream renovation of yours typically comes with the dreaded "b-word"...budget. When your entire team is under one roof, they are looking at the project from all angles to make sure all the bases are covered. I always joke that when we do our initial site assessment, each person that's there takes photos of different things, and that's because of their different areas of expertise. As a designer, I tend to look at the space as a whole... how does the house function, and how could it function better? Our project managers look at the structural and mechanical components of the house... does the existing electrical panel have enough room to accommodate the new renovation changes? We take all of this information into account in order to create a solid scope of work that fits your budgetary goals.

A couple recent renderings I completed for our clients. The 3D images give them the assurance that they know what the finished space will look like.

 

 As I mentioned earlier, making a big change to your home will likely come with a big price tag. Many design-build firms will offer financing for these projects. The renovation consultants at Renewal work with local banks day in and day out to make sure that the process of obtaining a construction loan is easy for the homeowner. Going through the process of buying my own home... I know first-hand how difficult, and sometimes frustrating, it can be to get through that process. Knowing that your remodeler is on your side and helping you reach the end result is amazing!

 

Many homeowners just keep their fingers crossed that they get to the end result. A big fear that they have is that they will sign their name on the dotted line and someone will run off with their money before completing the work. They have this fear because, unfortunately, it has happened to people in the past. Working with a remodeler that is a fixture in the community and has a storefront should be a big way to put your mind at ease. There is a place to go if you have a question and you can't exactly pick up an entire office and "skip town". Another fear is that your project will take FOREVERRRRR to complete. Renewal is actually one of very few companies (if not the only company) that has a Guaranteed Renovation. This means that if we don't finish by the date we give you in the beginning of the project... you get a monetary credit for each day over that deadline. If that doesn't settle your nerves, I'm not sure what will!

 

 

Awesome "before" and "after" project completed by the Renewal design-build team.

 

 Flexibility. This simple word is so crucial in the remodeling industry. A lot of the clients we work with lead extremely busy lives. We take as much stress as possible off of them during this experience. As a designer, I know which clients want to see every faucet option that's available... and I know which ones would like to see just three choices. The trust between the renovation team and the client is key... which leads me to this...
 

In my opinion, the biggest advantage to working with a design-build team is the relationships you develop along the way. You have a group of people that are not only interested in your renovation project... but also in your life. You're having a baby... your son is getting married... your daughter got 1st place at her gymnastics meet... these are the things that make us love our job! We are not only here for you throughout the duration of your project... but also years down the road.
 

If it wasn't obvious already, I clearly LOVE this setup. If you're considering a renovation and have any additional questions on design-build, please feel free to leave a comment below or email me at: aCLeaRdesign1@gmail.com 
  

 

All photos courtesy of Renewal Design-Build

Fifty Shades of... Hold Up, This Isn't That Kind of Blog!

Fifty Shades of... Hold Up, This Isn't That Kind of Blog!

Color Theory 101

So, if you're a girl and grew up in the 90's... at one point or another, you probably had a mood ring. Yep, that little round ring (probably from Claire's) had this crazy power to sense whether you were happy, sad, relaxed, nervous, etc. This situation is a bit like the chicken and the egg... which comes first? Are you sad and therefore the ring changes colors to reflect that?? Or does the ring show the color associated with being sad and therefore your emotions start to change because of it?
 

That brings me to today's topic... can color really impact your feelings? To put it simply. Yes.
 

For years, designers have been challenged with how to appropriately incorporate color in to their designs. Too much can be overwhelming, but too little has the potential to be bland. While there have been some studies on the psychology of color, a lot of the findings can be skewed by a persons personal background. Color associations start to develop at a young age and they just continue to expand as you get older. The majority of information that reaches your brain does so through your eyes, so we tend to be more comfortable when those colors are associated with something familiar.
 

Here are a few examples of how color can impact the overall mood and feeling in a room!
 

Photo Courtesy of: MuseInteriors

With the gorgeous fall weather that has been around Atlanta lately, this quintessential "sky blue" has been everywhere. For most people, this color evokes a calm and relaxed demeanor... think about the ocean, a waterfall... it slows down your metabolism and reduces stress. This is the perfect color palette for your Master Bedroom or a Sitting Room where you may go to wind down after a long day.

 

Another fact about "cool colors" (blues, greens, and light greys) is that they are "receding colors". They have a tendency to make a room feel larger and more open while the "warm colors" (red, yellows, and oranges) are considered "advancing colors". They can make a space feel more intimate and cozy. The accent wall in the picture below is a prime example of how the warmer color "advances" into the room. 

 

Photo Courtesy of Monarch-Renovations

Odds are, when you first looked at this picture, the orange accent wall jumped out at you first... am I right?!

 

Nerdy, I know, but I'm a sucker for color tricks and this one shows off advancing and receding colors perfectly! When the red dot is placed on the blue background, it looks almost like a ball bouncing off of a blue wall; however, when the blue dot is placed on the red background, it comes across like a hole in a red box. And there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen... Advancing and Receding Colors!

 

I know you're probably about to wander off to google some more color tricks, but you'll want to wait around for what's next. Have you ever wondered why so many restaurants incorporate red, oranges, and yellows into their logos?? These colors stimulate brain activity which can stir up feelings of hunger. Don't believe me... well, Mr. Ronald McDonald has made QUITE the living off of this theory!

 

Photo Courtesy of Giuliette Schouten Architects

I love this room. The colors are warm and inviting and let's be honest... when you're comfortable in your surroundings, who wouldn't be inclined to have seconds?! This room is also a great illustration of rustic and modern working together as one. If you want to learn more about that trend, check out one of my recent posts!

 

There is so much to say about the theory of color and I know I've only scratched the surface. I promise, there will be plenty more in the coming weeks.

There's No Place Like Home

There's No Place Like Home

I've mentioned a couple of times how I became a homeowner for the first time last year. House hunting is a bit like looking for a boyfriend... you tend to come across a lot of duds before you find the right one. Now, I may not have the boyfriend thing figured out just yet, but as far as finding the right house... I've got that one in the bag!
 

As soon as I went on the first walk-through at what would later become the biggest purchase of my life thus far, I knew it was love at first sight! And by love at first sight, I mean that the floors were hideous, the refrigerator door wouldn't open all the way, and there were families of spiders living in the garage... but...  looking past all of that, I realized that deep down this was my future home.
 

I had been saving and saving for this purchase and knew that as a designer, I would want to do some type of renovation to make this house MY HOME. During the long and tedious underwriting process, I came over to the house and measured EVERYTHING. I went home and drew the floor plan so that I could get the creative juices flowing. What I discovered next gave me a huge insight as to what a lot of my clients feel during the renovation process... I wanted to do a whole lot of stuff and I needed to make sure my budget would accommodate those changes. Come on and join me on a walk down memory lane so I can highlight some of the biggest challenges.
 

THE KITCHEN

If you take a look at where the refrigerator is, you might be able to guess my dilemma. When the fridge door is open... it hits the wall which leads to not being able to open the drawers inside the fridge... oyyy! The solution here was pretty simple... When in doubt, remove the wall (as long as you're sure it isn't structural)! I wanted a more open floor plan from the living spaces to the Kitchen anyway, so this change served dual functions.

 

I was pretty lucky to have a lot of help during this renovation, but most helpful of all was my Mom, or as I like to call her... my "General Momtractor". She was such a trooper... she's not afraid to get down and dirty and let me tell you... the lady Gets.Things.Done. This wall was no exception. We removed the sheetrock so that the short wall was ready to be fully removed.

 

Another issue I had with the Kitchen is that there was no seating. I'm definitely a "saver" but a whole room of new cabinets definitely wasn't in my budget. My Kitchen isn't huge so I had to get a little creative with the cabinet layout. I did some reconfiguring so that I was able to add a new peninsula that would allow for a couple of stools! I also replaced the countertops, backsplash, lighting, a few appliances and boom! I had a new Kitchen!

 

 

 Next... THE ENTIRE UPSTAIRS

 

So, upstairs I had a "teeeeeny tiny" problem. The Master Bedroom was teeeeeny tiny. And the Master closet was teeeeeny tiny too. I messed around with the idea of keeping the layout how it was, but I knew I would never be 100%  happy, especially since I had already drawn the floor plan of what I really wanted! Below you'll find my drawings of the upstairs... I've included some notes so you can see some of the big items that changed! 

 

-- As-Built Floor Plan --

 

-- Proposed Floor Plan --

 

 By relocating the closet in the Office, I was able to gain so much useable space in the Master Bedroom. Also, walking straight into the toilet when entering the Master Bath was hardly my idea of a good design, so I changed that too. This allowed space for a walk-in closet and a gorgeous focal point as you enter the bath. Check out some of the "after's". 

 

-- Office --

New closet located on the far left. The relocation of this closet gave tons of additional space in the Master Bedroom.

 

-- Office --

This wall is where the old closet used to be. The layout of the Office is so much more functional now!

 

-- Master Bedroom --

I'm a big believer in that whole "one mans' trash" thing. I found this vintage rocking chair at an estate sale in Buckhead and snagged it up right away! 

 

-- Master Bathroom --

I am in LOVE with this vanity. It was literally like the heavens shined down upon it and the angels sang "ahhhh!" as soon as I laid my eyes on it. I called about 50 people before I bought it so they could convince me it was worth the extra money... what can I say... sometimes a girl just needs to splurge!

 

-- Guest Bathroom --

In this bath, I replaced the countertop, sink, and faucet. The Grohe Atrio 7 faucet is such a great highlight in this space!

 

 

Throughout the renovation process, I learned SO MUCH about what my clients go through. Remodeling definitely takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, but at the end of the day, when the furniture is in and the pictures are hung, you look around and simply think...

There's no place like MY home.

All photos are my own.

Get Trendy: Take 2!

Get Trendy: Take 2!

Welcome back, trendsetters! Last week, I shared some insider knowledge on what you can expect to see with design trends in the next year. Because there was so much information, I was forced to split things up into two posts. Check out my first "Get Trendy" post if you missed out... you'll find tons on color pops, high contrast, and lighting! This time around, there's even more to share!

White. It's one of the most classic colors in history. It is timeless and elegant. Sometimes though, this white-on-white color scheme can create a bit of an austere environment. This is where texture comes into play. Texture will be one of the biggest trends to take off in the coming year. It can be expressed in a multitude of ways. There's actual texture that you can touch, and texture created by layering.

Photo Courtesy of: McCoppin Studios

Take this Kitchen for example. If you were to take away the added texture (beams, pendant lights, and floral arrangement), this room would still be beautiful, but not quite as inviting as it feels now. The rustic charm of the beams creates a cozy environment that's fitting for the kitchen (which, in a lot of cases, has become the "hub of the home"). You may think that this type of rusticness would only be suitable in a traditional home, but adding some of this to a modern space has an enormous impact as well!

Photo Courtesy of: Moss-Design

Check out the Kitchen in this loft! It's gorgeous... but more importantly... it invites you in for a visit! Without the beams and brick wall, this kitchen would be a pretty stark environment. The texture that these elements brings in completely changes the feel of the room. The mix of rustic and modern is literally one of my favorites!

At this point, I know what you're probably thinking... brick walls and wooden beams are quite the undertaking for a weekend project, but don't fret... there are easier ways to incorporate texture into your home!

Photo is my own.

Welcome to a little piece of the place I call home. I bought my first house last year and am loving homeownership so far. It's amazing how much you find out about yourself when you become a homeowner (I may still scream, but who knew I could actually kill a bug on my own?!!)

A lot of the furnishings and accessories that people incorporate into their decor are passed down from family members or have some type of nostalgic meaning. The windows you see in the picture above are no exception. While they certainly add a bit of coziness to the room, for me... these windows represent my childhood. Years ago (when I was still in college), my parents had to replace a huge window at the back of their house. I begged them to keep the old windows so that I could use them one day... and here they are!

Most local antique markets will have vintage doors and windows that can be used in a number of ways to add texture to a room (headboards, desks, etc). I've mentioned it before but if you live in the Atlanta area... Scott Antique Market is AMAZING for "treasure hunting" as I like to call it!

Photo Courtesy of: Amber Interiors

My personal design philosophy is to maintain a fairly neutral substructure in a room and add those pops of color and texture through the "soft goods". This allows you to change things out as often as you want (and if you're anything like me... that's often)!

What's not to love about the room above?! This is a prime example of the addition of texture through layering. A lot of times, people may feel like having too many patterns in one room can be overwhelming, and sometimes those people are right. In this case though, the differing patterns all play towards a common theme. The rug has a bold pattern with multiple colors while the ottoman has a more subdued, monochromatic pattern... it all WORKS!

The one thing I love about being in design is that you learn to appreciate all styles and genres. The most successful people any industry are those who aren't complacent and are always pushing the envelope. Take that confidence in to your home... Don't be afraid to buy something a little outside your comfort zone and try it out. The picture below sums this whole post up pretty well :)

NKBA 30 Under 30!!!

30 Under 30... Hard Work Pays Off!!

 Normally I write about the projects I'm working on, and along with that usually comes some beautiful photos...  Well, tonight I won't have many photos, but feel free to picture me jumping up and down out of excitement as I write this post!

A couple months ago I submitted an application for the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) "30 Under 30" program. This is a national campaign that highlights 30 young professionals that are making a difference in the design industry.

Well, I found out yesterday that I was selected as one of "The 30"... Ahhh! This is the second year that this program has been around and I'm proud to say that Atlanta has now had representation two years in a row. Last year, one of my very best friends (and talented designer) was selected to participate and now I'm ready to join this exclusive group!

What does this mean?? Las Vegas here I come! The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the premiere trade show in the design industry where all of the latest products and design trends are unleashed. It's literally like a candy shop for designers... there are beautiful things everywhere!  Through "30 Under 30", I will attend the show and will be doing live-blogging, trend-spotting, and interviews to cover everything that I see, so you KNOW I'll have plenty to share with you when I get back!

Here's one image of the show floor (this represents maaaaaaybe 3% of the entire show)... It's slightly overwhelming but so awesome at the same time!

 Being selected as one of the "30 Under 30" is such a huge accomplishment for me personally, and I'm pumped to share the news with you! I'll be heading to KBIS in February and can't wait to fill you in on everything that I see!


“They're more than just the voice of the next generation of kitchen and bath professionals; they are also enthusiastic entrepreneurs, forward-thinking CEOs, and cutting-edge designers – and all are still in their 20s.”
- Nancy Barnes, NKBA Director of Learning & Development

PS... I want to give a big thank you to my sister, Kristyn, for all of her support on this venture!

I love you, sis!