Envision entering your bedroom after a lengthy day—a sanctuary designed to reflect your distinct personality. What does your ideal ‘paradise’ entail? Is it a calming coastal retreat with sand-toned linens, or a luxuriously modern hideaway nestled between the glossy pages of a magazine? Let’s talk about three of the earliest steps you need to consider in Master Bedroom Design. Let’s design your dream bedroom. 

Step 1: Finding Your Style

Do you gravitate toward a chic minimalist design, or does the bohemian approach call to you with its tapestries and textures? Finding your unique design style is like discovering your fashion sense. It’s about what makes you comfortable and happy within your personal space. You can’t learn how to create your dream bedroom without considering what YOU like. 

The Style Survey

Begin with a comprehensive style survey. Look through interior design books, Pinterest boards, and Instagram feeds for dream bedroom ideas. What consistently draws your attention? Is it the serene pastels or the bold geometric patterns? Make notes of what speaks to you and start to distill a picture of your style.

Reflecting Identity in Design

Your bedroom is a canvas, and you are the artist. Think about how you can integrate personal mementos or favorite colors into your space. Whether it’s a family heirloom, a DIY project, or that vibrant artwork you adore, infusing your personal touch can transform a room into a reflection of your soul.

Step 2: Space Planning

A dream master bedroom doesn’t just look good; it functions seamlessly. With space planning, you can optimize even the coziest nook or an overly spacious chamber for both ease and elegance.

Work with What You Have

If square footage is tight, vertical space is your ally. Wall-mounted shelving, a lofted bed, or high curtains that draw the eye upward can make the room appear more spacious. For larger rooms, creating distinct zones like a reading corner or a vanity area with partition screens can lend a sense of balance.

The Sweet Spot

The bed is the heart of your bedroom, and its placement can set the tone for the entire space. Consider the best vantage point for both comfort and aesthetic. A centrally located bed always feels inviting, while framing it with symmetrical nightstands and lighting adds classic appeal.

Step 3: Choosing the Right Furniture

Furniture in a bedroom is like punctuation in a sentence—it completes the space and provides structure. Your selection should be a balance of function, comfort, and style.

Finding the Hero Pieces

In all dream master bedrooms, there exists a focal point, and this is typically the bed. It is important to select a style that serves as the anchor for the room, be it a sleek platform, a rustic four-poster, or a practical Murphy bed. Each additional piece should complement the bed’s lead role.

Quality Over Quantity

In a world of flat-pack everything, investing in key furniture items that are built to last can elevate your dream home master bedroom’s ambiance. Investing in solid wood, expertly crafted dressers and nightstands, alongside a comfortable, long-lasting mattress, is a justifiable expenditure.

In the initial stages of designing your dream bedroom, you are progressing towards crafting a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also offers a comforting ambiance to return to each night. Learn more about how to design your dream bedroom with the help of interior design experts. 

Home renovation can turn into a fascinating odyssey – an unexpected quest filled with perilous pitfalls and joyous triumphs. For any homeowner daring to undertake this adventure, a step-by-step checklist is critical. Overwhelmed by the thought of renovating your home? Here’s a simple step-by-step home renovation checklist to get you through this maze. A general contractor in Scottsdale, AZ is also as good as a checklist, and it’s never too early to contact one.  

The Unbreakable Planning Phase

Do not pass go, do not collect $200, and above all, do not open a single can of paint or wield a hammer until you’ve laid the groundwork. You need blueprints for this war process. Sketch out the vision for your renovation. Are you aiming for an open concept? Dreaming of granite countertops? Do you long for a claw-foot tub?

What You Need

• Mood boards for each room
• A clear budget draft
• A timeline with detail

Research and Inspiration: Your Design Evangelism

This step is where you jog around the neighborhood every morning and see what’s “in.” Every Instagram scroll, every magazine flip, consider it research. Collect design ideas and learn what you do and don’t like. You’ll thank yourself later for this inspiration.

Tools of the Trade

• Social media platforms and Pinterest
• Home improvement stores and showrooms

Hiring Professionals: The Art of Delegation

Your cousin may be handy with a wrench, but the structural integrity of your home might be better left to a seasoned pro. Contact an expert who spends their days going through home renovation checklists and creating desirable spaces for homeowners. 

Deciphering the Right Fit

• Referrals and online reviews
• Interviews and quotes

Demolition and Preparation: It’s Hammer Time

And just like that, you’re Alice fallen down the rabbit hole. But this Wonderland is filled with dust, loud noises, and the surreal sight of your living room wall being used as a corridor for your kitchen wall.

Pro Tips

• Rent large dumpsters
• Protect floors and furniture

Structural Work: Laying the Foundation

Have you heard the one about a house being only as good as its foundation? Well, it’s no joke. Whether it’s fixing cracked walls or reinforcing a roof, this is the Iron Man suit of your renovation phase.

Buckle Up

• Proper permitting
• Know your load-bearing walls

Installation and Building: Where Dreams Finally Take Shape

At this stage, you get to see all those dreams, haphazardly scribbled on napkins and half-baked in idea ovens, actually materialize. It’s the payoff for all the behind-the-scenes work.

The Literal Nuts and Bolts

• Plumbing and electrical work
• Installing fixtures and appliances

Finishing Touches: The Devil and the Details

The last ten percent of the work will take ninety percent of the effort. Every designer, builder, and figure with a penchant for the architectural world will tell you this.

The Art of Patience

• Paint and wallpaper
• Flooring and subtler decorations

Inspection and Quality Check: Meeting the Standards

Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, bring in the inspectors. This is where the grunt work pays off. Professionals will have this on their renovating a house checklist, so you don’t need to worry. 

One Final Push

• Final walk-throughs
• Addressing any issues

Follow this guide and you’ll soon have a home you love! 

Choosing the right curtains for your gray furniture can be a decor dilemma that’ll have you feeling more gray than your sofa. With all the wonderful shades of gray out there, one may be forgiven for seeing this neutral hue as a blank canvas that needs a splash of color to liven it up. But what’s the right color to add to this blank slate, especially when it comes to window treatments? New or existing homeowners, we’re here to guide you through this colorful conundrum without turning it into a horror show.

What color curtains go with gray furniture? What color curtains go with a gray couch? Let’s find out! 

Harmonizing with Neutrals

If you’re a fan of the minimalist trend and want to keep things subtle, you’re in good company. White and beige work as curtains for a gray couch. Think of white as a whitewashed picket fence; eternally fresh and calming. It brings an airiness to your space, while beige, as reliable as a ’90s minivan, adds a warm, earthy tone that compliments gray furniture without stealing the spotlight. Remember, safe doesn’t mean boring – play with different textures and weaves to add depth to your design without overwhelming the room. Whether you go for curtains to match a gray couch or just compliment, neutrals are a fun way to decorate.

Adding Pops of Color

Feeling a little adventurous but don’t want to invite the circus to the living room? Blue curtains could be your next move. From the soothing allure of navy to the lively charm of turquoise, there exists a spectrum of blue hues to suit every individuality. When combined with gray, it evokes a refreshing coastal ambiance, ideal for those seeking to infuse a touch of the sea into their living spaces. For those less inclined towards blue, the introduction of yellow curtains can impart a cheery atmosphere, providing a vibrant burst of color like the early morning sun. It is vital to bear in mind the purpose of the purchase – curtains for decor, not tickets to a concert.

Bold Choices for Contrast

For those who live by the philosophy of ‘go big or go home,’ black curtains make a striking statement. They add a touch of sophistication and mystery to the room, creating a dramatic contrast against light gray furniture. If you’d rather steer clear of this look, a carefully selected pattern can be just as bold without being bleak. Geometric designs can introduce a contemporary aesthetic, floral prints can evoke a touch of classic elegance, and striped curtains can create a relaxed, coastal ambiance. Who says you need to go with just one color? It is important to ensure that the patterns harmonize with the texture of your furniture to avoid a clashing look that may detract from your space’s sophistication.

Tips for New Homeowners

The room size is also a significant factor. Light shades can create an illusion of spaciousness in a small room, whereas dark tones contribute to a cozy, intimate ambiance. It is important to ensure that the room reflects your individual style rather than conforming solely to design trends. Contact AZ interior design services to consider all the factors and make the right choice for you! 

You’ve probably heard the tale of the never-ending kitchen remodel. Sometimes it seems like you could plant a tree, watch it grow, and it would still be in the planning stage of kitchen renovation. But how long should it really take? You want a new kitchen but you don’t want to be waiting for many years. For those of us who love to dissect the facts of such projects, or for those of you who are about to undertake one, the following guide will take out some of the guesswork. 

We’re going to go through the kitchen remodel steps and what you can expect from the process. Remember, a home remodeling contractor in Scottsdale has contacts in the industry and will provide an estimated timeline before your project begins. So, how long does it take to remodel a kitchen?

Slicing Through the Time Estimates

Size Matters

Unsurprisingly, the size, layout, and age of your kitchen can significantly impact your renovation time. If you’re working with a galley kitchen from the 60s, you’re probably not just dealing with avocado green appliances; there’s likely some plumbing and wiring that’s due for an update too. Conversely, an open plan, new-build kitchen is more about personalizing than overhauling.

The Full Scope

Scoping out your project is important – you can’t just pick up a hammer and start. Do you want a basic cabinet swap or a top-to-bottom transformation, including re-routed gas lines for that chef’s stove? Your vision for the space largely determines the time needed, where radical changes to the layout or significant structural work can add weeks, if not months, to your project.

Material Matters

Have you picked out that rare marble countertop that requires transportation from Italy? Or are you selecting sturdy, local materials known for their resilience, affordability (relatively), and ease of availability? Your choice here can mean the difference between a two-week import or a one-hour ride to the local supplier.

Contractor Conundrums

The keystone of your project is your builder or remodeling contractor. Their other projects, the availability of their key personnel, and even the weather can throw a spanner in your works. To minimize delays, find a contractor who can start within your desired window and has a reputation for keeping on track.

The Granular Timeline

Planning

The pre-game phase involves budgeting, obtaining permits, and wrestling with the wild ideas of what your kitchen should be. This phase alone can take 1-3 months, depending on required approvals and if you ask your contractor’s opinion about every shade of white paint.

Designing

With permits in hand, the next step is material selection and finalizing designs. This cozy phase, with its demolition day YouTube marathons, can take 2-6 months depending on your dedication to the search for the perfect faucet.

Demolishing

This is when the hammers meet the drywall, and sometimes, unexpectedly, the water. On average, demolition and the start of construction will take 1-2 weeks but plan for a six-pack and a few good pizza nights all the same.

Building 

The construction phase varies greatly but usually lasts 2-4 months. This is where your kitchen comes together — sometimes in a flash of masterful work, other times in a lingering toil of installation work.

Beautifying

Finally, we have the finishing touches, which can take 1-3 weeks, or as long as you keep changing your mind about hardware choices.

How long does a kitchen remodel take? Generally, partnering with experts is the route to a faster remodel. On the whole, a kitchen remodel can take anywhere from several months to a year, based on all these factors. The key is to understand that every kitchen is unique and so will be its remodeling timeline. Now go, be brave, and cook up that kitchen of your dreams!

Read Our Other Blog: BUDGETING BLISS: THE COST TO FURNISH A HOUSE

Curtains, often overlooked in interior design, possess the transformative ability to elevate a living room from ordinary to extraordinary. For affluent homeowners with refined preferences, the draping of premium fabrics and the selection of the right style are pivotal in creating the desired ambiance in their homes. Today, we’re going to provide some tips when it comes to luxury curtain design for a living room. Professionals in interior design in Flagstaff, AZ can also help you find elegant curtains for a living room, so keep this in mind.

Choosing the Right Fabric and Style

Fabric selection is crucial as it emphasizes the grandeur and comfort you aim to convey. Silk, renowned for its luxurious sheen and graceful drape, stands as a timeless option; velvet, with its weighty richness, emanates a sense of warmth; and linen, boasting a natural appearance, is ideal for a lighter, more contemporary ambiance. The key lies in selecting a fabric that not only complements the existing textures in your living room but also enriches the overall depth.

When it comes to style with luxury curtains, consider the overall look you want to achieve. Are you leaning towards classic opulence with pinch pleats? Or perhaps a more streamlined appearance with grommet tops to suit your modern decor? If your taste is as eclectic as it is refined, tab tops might be just the thing to add a casual, yet luxurious finesse to your space.

Color Coordination and Patterns

Color is a powerful tool in the luxurious curtains game. It can tie a room’s design together or make a bold, sophisticated statement. Matching your curtains to the walls for a monochromatic effect can elongate the space, while selecting a color within your upholstery can create a harmonious color scheme. If you’re feeling adventurous, patterns like damask, paisley, or geometric designs can add another layer to your curtains, but be sure they don’t clash with the rest of the room. Subtle textures like tone-on-tone embroidery or a velvet sheen through the light can be an understated yet undeniably luxurious touch.

Customization and Tailoring

To truly tailor your living room to the highest standards, customized luxury drapes for a living room can work wonders. Choose custom made curtains tailored to your windows for a flawless appearance. Consider adding tasteful embellishments like tassels or fringes for a touch of elegance, ideal for a regal feel. Ensure proper lining for fabric protection, light management, and insulation. Pay attention to these refined details to enhance both the aesthetic appeal and comfort of your living space. 

Time to Choose

Luxury living room curtains are an art form that marries functionality with aesthetic appeal. In the world of high-end interior decor, curtains are more than just window dressings; they frame our views and launch our imaginations, creating a space we are proud to call our own. By investing in the right fabrics, colors, and customization, luxury homeowners can ensure that their living rooms are radiant with the unmatched elegance of custom drapery, reflecting a style that is as unique as it is tasteful.

Cheers,

Living With Lolo

You look around and realize you want to breathe new life into your home – it’s time. Will an interior designer in Phoenix, AZ, understand your open-concept kitchen dreams, though? Will they recoil from the idea of a hanging egg chair? Fret not; design dilettantes. We’ve compiled a guide on how to find a local interior designer in Phoenix that you can trust with your next project.

Why is interior design important? Your home is where you spend the most time (even if lots of this time is sleeping). You want your house to feel like a home – this is your sanctuary from the world. A local designer can bring your ideas to life and ensure your happiness for years to come.

Step 1: Understanding Your Needs

Do some homework before you start contacting designers. A little self-reflection can go a long way. Assess the scope of your project. Is it a complete home renovation or a simple room “refresh”? Take inventory of your design tastes and preferences. Are you a mid-century modern maven, or do you aspire to the cozy excess of maximalism?

Pro Tip: Pinterest and home decor magazines can help you compile a visual wishlist and hone in on your unique style.

Step 2: Researching Potential Designers

You know what you want now, so you can confidently cast your net. Start by contacting local designers like us! Next, ask friends, family, or that second cousin twice removed (who’s constantly redecorating) for referrals. And, of course, pore over designer portfolios to see if their aesthetic aligns with your vision. A simple search through our portfolio will yield results.

Pro Tip: Think of this process like speed-dating, but instead of swiping right, you’re clicking through our portfolio.

Step 3: Interviewing Prospective Designers

Treat the first meeting with your potential designer as a two-way interview. You’ve got questions; they’ve got portfolios. It’s all laid out on the table (literally). Ask lots of questions, and be open to letting your designer guide you through the process; they have been through this numerous times and should be willing to provide you with all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Step 4: Checking Credentials and Reviews

Okay, so your Pinterest boards are booming with ideas, and one (or three) designers have aced the interview process. It’s verification time. Check for certifications and experience in similar projects, and, most crucially, scope out those online testimonials and Google Reviews.

Step 5: Making the Final Decision

Budgets have been barred, creative synergy is humming, and reviews have sung their praises. But now the ultimate decision rests on your shoulders. Go with your gut. Sure, the designer might look great on paper, but can you see yourself discussing fabric swatches with this person for the next six months?

Heart Over Head: Just like love, sometimes you have to go with the one that tugs at your heartstrings. We’re not saying finding the right one will be easy. But it’s worth the effort, the research, and – dare we say it – the heartache. This person will help you weave your personality into your living spaces, and that’s not a job to be underappreciated. Let’s tackle this quest for home harmony and come out the other side with a sanctuary that genuinely reflects you. Follow this guide on how to find an interior designer and get the home you deserve!