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5 mistakes to avoid when decorating your house . Scottsdale AZ . Interior Design

by | Apr 23, 2021 | Cave Creek Interior Design, Fanfol, Interior Design Tips, Montevista, Scottsdale Interior Design Projects

Have 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Your House

Ready to switch things up and redecorate your house? Looking for tips on how to best do it? What about learning about what NOT to do? Let’s look at 5 common mistakes to avoid when decorating your house.

living room sets

Painting as soon as Possible

Giving a fresh coat of paint can be really tempting especially if you just moved into a new place. But before repainting everything, make sure to know how you are going to decorate the room, have all your furniture in place, and spend time really understanding the space you are working with.

Do you know how it looks like throughout the day? Is it a bit too dark or is it bright enough?

Make sure to also test the color on the wall beforehand to see how it reacts with the texture and the environment of the room.

It’s important to make sure all furniture + flooring is covered prior to painting to avoid any overspray.

redecorate your house

Buying Furniture too Quickly

By trying to get everything done as quickly as possible, you might end up with a decor that isn’t what you were looking for, and furniture you don’t actually love.

Never buy furniture in a rush. Go see them once, twice, picture them in your living room. Don’t buy everything at once but incorporate things into your decor step by step. This way you will really be able to put furniture and decorative pieces together that highlight one another instead of overpowering them.

It will feel way more finished and well thought out if you take the time to live in the room and let it guide you to what you need next.

I would suggest starting with the big pieces of furniture first such as a sofa or a bed and then designing the rest of the room around it.

Try to Make Everything Match

You know those living room sets where you get everything all at once and it all looks the same? Avoid falling into that trap. If it will give a uniform look to your room it will also lack originality.

Furniture pieces don’t need to perfectly match in order to go well together. Unmatch furniture will bring a more modern look to your space.

Find some common ground amongst pieces of furniture such as wood stains, patterns, or colors to tie everything together.

decorate the room

Adding Plants at the Last Minute

If you want plants to be a part of your decor (and we recommend you to as it really adds a lot of positive energy to the room), don’t wait till the last minute when everything else already has a spot. Plants can really have an important space in your decor if you let them play their role.

Make sure to save a spot for them in the room when you are redecorating and pick plants that you can take care of properly. Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb, you can get low-maintenance plants such as ferns or fiddle-leaf figs.

If you don’t have a green thumb, make sure to visit a nursery to have them help select the best plant for your space given lighting conditions.

Scottsdale Interior Design

Buying Small Rugs

By having a rug that is too small for the room, you are missing on a great opportunity to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Placing a large rug under your couch or a table will help make the space feel bigger. The rug creates then a focal point and helps define the area better.

Layering multiple rugs is a great idea if one of your rugs is too small but you don’t want to get rid of it.

We love Jaipur + Loloi rugs!

Whether you are moving to a new place and need to redo everything, or you want to give your home a fresh look, don’t rush it! Learn from these common mistakes and take time to understand the space you are working with better. If you need any help and support, contact us today!

Have a look at our Calle Del Norte Project

 Explore More: Budgeting Bliss: The Cost to Furnish a House – Living With Lolo

How to make your home look more modern in only 5 tips . Paradise Valley AZ . Interior Design

by | Apr 20, 2021 | Cave Creek Interior Design, Fanfol, Interior Design Tips, Montevista, Scottsdale Interior Design Projects

How to Make Your Home Look More Modern in Only 5 Tips

Do you walk into other modern houses wishing yours looked at as new, as fresh, as cool? The good news is that you might be able to achieve a similar look with only a few arrangements. You’ll be surprised to see how much of a difference it can make!
Scottsdale Interior Design

1. Get Rid of Plastic Packaging

Take the habit to remove all the plastic packaging laying in your house. -Use a soap pump for your dish soap in the kitchen and for the hand soap in the bathroom -Use mason jars for your dry condiments in the kitchen instead of the plastic bags -Use a glass water bottle instead of a plastic one. Walk around and look at all the disposable plastic packaging you have and make the switch to durable options. Not only will it look much better and will give your entire house a more modern look, but it will also help you to reduce the amount of waste you produce. You can start buying your items in bulk and transfer them to your beautiful recipients once home.
Scottsdale Interior Design

2. Use More Glass Elements

The use of glass is a great way to make your space look more modern. You can add a glass sliding door or a glass dining table or coffee table for example. Big windows are also a great hit in modern design. Since glass is a transparent material it helps to make your space look bigger and let more light in. We love to also add glass through a pretty mirror and accessories
Scottsdale Interior Design

3. Mix Neutral Colors With Dark Hues

Modern design like using the contrast between a neutral color and a dark bolder one. Having a piece of furniture that stands out or painting one wall in black in your bathroom or bedroom for example will bring attention and provide a sense of comfort to the room. For bathrooms, you can also pick dark tiles to add contrast.

cement tile bathroom chandler az

4. Add Texture

Adding texture to an interior makes it look more intriguing. Change your rug, add throw pillows or blankets. We love to add texture through custom upholstery with great fabric! Drapery with an amazing textured fabric is also a great addition to your home.
Scottsdale Interior Design

5. Pick Geometric Shapes

Modern homes are characterized by their geometric shapes and straight lines. The easiest way to implement those in your home is through the furniture you pick. Choose rectangular or square furniture pieces with none or very few soft, curved lines.

6. Add Big Art Pieces

If you are afraid to turn your home into something impersonal, don’t worry. Modern doesn’t have to be cold. Pick a big piece of art that has meaning to you and can be highlighted in the room.
c

7. Declutter

Last but not least, to keep your space looking modern, make sure to keep it simple and decluttered. When in doubt, go for a more minimalist lifestyle. That will help keep everything tidier. Empty countertops, organized shelves, clean coffee tables… It will all work together to give your space a modern and peaceful look. Every home is different. Need more advice on how to make your space more modern? Contact us today to set you your interior design consultation.

See More: Modern Interior Design Ideas | Elevate Your Space – Living With Lolo

Contemporary interior design scottsdale

How To Pick The Right Dining Table . Paradise Valley . Interior Design

How To Pick The Right Dining Table . Paradise Valley . Interior Design

by | May 18, 2020 | 54th Place, Cave Creek Interior Design, Fanfol, Interior Design Tips, Paradise Valley Interior Design, Scottsdale Interior Design Projects, Silverleaf, West Trails

Picking the right dining table to be both beautiful + functional in your home is paramount. That right balance between beauty and function is what will make your space work for the unique demands of your busy family and will also make your guests oh and aw when they come over for supper.

Interior Design Scottsdale

We love the juxtaposition of using chairs in one fabric and a table made from something completely different. No matching sets for us! We like to keep things interesting and mix + match. Here we used a durable velvet chair with a live edge walnut table that we had sealed for durability.

Interior Design Scottsdale

Always look for interesting detail on your kitchen table. This is likely one of the largest pieces in your home and you want it to make a statement. We fell in love with the unique stacked wood legs on this table + the contracting lacquered top.

Interior Design Scottsdale

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different tones of wood. We love how these lighter wood chairs contrast with the darker dining table. The contract makes your room feel collected and cozier.

Interior Design Scottsdale

Know your family! If you have young kiddos, don’t purchase a table that doesn’t hold up well to spills and grimy hands hoping that your children will miraculously be able to live with it. It is going to drive you crazy! There are so many kid-friendly options these days. Choose something that is both beautiful but that will also withstand the test of time for your family and ultimately make your life easier.

See More: How to Decorate a Dining Room Table for Everyday Use

Our Favorite Accessories To Style With . Scottsdale AZ . Interior Design

by | May 14, 2020 | Calle Lejos, Cave Creek Interior Design, Interior Design Tips, West Trails

We definitely have some favorite accessories we love to style with and we use them time and time again, in different shapes and forms.

We love to use textured baskets in all types of spaces! In bathrooms, they make great laundry baskets, in entryways, they contain all your miscellaneous items that aren’t pretty but are essential, and in the family room, they can hide kiddo and dog toys.

great laundry baskets

Interior Design Scottsdale

You can never go wrong by adding a unique tray to a coffee table to help contain your items and keep little items like remotes safe from getting lost. We always look for trays that contract either the color or the texture and style of the coffee tables in our designs.

coffee tables in our designs

Interior Design Phoenix

Using faux plants + greenery in our projects is a given. Simple centerpieces made with a pretty bowl + greenery give the room life. The simplicity is perfect for a busy area like a kitchen or dining room table.

kitchen or dining room table

Interior Design Scottsdale

Pillows are a standby item we always use when accessorizing beds, sofas, and benches. Splurging on a well-made pillow ensures that the pillow will be big and fluffy. We love finding unique fabrics that contrast with the furniture we are styling them on.

pillows

Interior Design Scottsdale

Vases in groups of three make for a great styling set on pretty cabinets and console tables. Lately, we have been using neutral simple vases to let the other details like wallpaper shine

wallpaper shine

Interior Design Scottsdale

Read More: Top Interior Design Tips for Mediterranean-Style Homes

How To: Coffee Table Styling . Phoenix AZ . Interior Design

by | Apr 22, 2020 | Interior Design Tips

How do you style your coffee table to get a curated look without feeling cluttered? This is a common question we get from our clients and we love wrapping up our design services with styling to show them exactly how to achieve this look. We want our coffee tables to look put together but they also need to be functional.

coffee tables

Contrast

Start by picking items for your coffee table styling that contrast with the material of the coffee table itself. For example, if you have a white marble coffee table, try using items with a woven texture or a big contrast like black.

High & Low

You want your eye to move around the space and not to stay either high or low, so alternating between objects of varying heights is important. Do keep in mind the line of sight and don’t use anything too hight where you may block someone from watching tv.

decorative hall design

Use a Tray

Use a tray to corral all the coffee table items! This instantly makes the coffee table feel more put together and less cluttered and as a bonus helps keep things like your tv remotes all together.

Balance

Make sure that you look at your coffee table from all angles and that it is balanced from each perspective. Add symmetry to make sure that one side of the coffee table does not appear to heavy or over styled compared to the other side.

living room design

Unexpected Objects

Add some unexpected objects to your coffee table and you will have instant conversation starters. Use items from your travels.

 

Read More: Round Coffee Table Decor Ideas – How-To Guide

How To: Shelf Styling . Paradise Valley AZ . Interior Design

by | Apr 6, 2020 | Interior Design Tips

Shelf styling has always been one of our favorite areas to style, but for many of our clients, the thought can be daunting.  Many of us have open shelving in our homes, and not only is it current on-trend but they are also timeless.  Whether it be a kid’s space, open concept kitchen, or shelves flanking a fireplace; open shelving can set the tone of a room and are the perfect spot to display all of your treasured items in a way that looks beautiful while maintaining functionality.

Shelf styling design ideas

Wherever your shelves may be and whatever your style preference is, it comes down to what you put on them and how you place it.  After all, your shelves are open for a reason and that is for everyone to see!  Here are some tips to style your shelves:

  • Determine your style:  The first step is figuring out your style preference and what will go best in your home and chose your pallet from there.
  • Shop: Whether you start with your home stash or head straight for the stores make sure your collection consists of pieces that vary in height, weight and size.
  • Start with larger pieces first:  A big mistake people make is using décor that is not proportional to their shelves.  I like to use larger items that are at least half the size of the shelf and then work in smaller pieces to fill in the gaps.  Just make sure not to overextend the shelf.

shelf design

  • Layer, layer, layer!  Items such as books, boxes, trays, and decorative objects are all great layering pieces to start with.
  • Work with height:  This can be done through taller vases, frames, large baskets, and stems.  It’s important to fill in some of the height on your shelves while still leaving some blanks.
  • Stagger you height:  When working with different décor pieces, make sure to place items next to each other that have a minimum three-inch separation in height and avoid duplicating the same pieces on shelves next to each other.

elegant shelf design

  • Use art:  I love using abstract prints in a frame.  It’s a great way to add color and show your style.  They are also very easy to swap out for something different at a later date.
  • Think green!  I love the way green can elevate the look of shelves.  Adding faux succulent or stems to a vase is not only a good way to add color but also a way you can add height.
  • Don’t over clutter:   Shelves can get busy very quickly so avoid using a ton of small objects and focus more on larger items with a few smaller pieces scatters throughout.
  • Lastly, step back and observe:  This is an important part!  Look for holes, unbalanced areas and tweak as needed.

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Discover More: Project Reveal: Fanfol Pt 2 • Paradise Valley, AZ • Interior Design

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