I usually spend a big chunk of time on Saturday to catch up with what’s going on in the fashion industry just to be inspired. I love to explore the fresh color palettes from the recent runways and street styles. Not surprisedly, when I enjoyed my organic oolong tea this morning in my backyard garden, I came across quite few exciting color palettes and some interesting ways of mix -and -match. Wow, these fresh color schemes really makes my day. Here are some of my favorites:
Blue-and White in Different Patterns—cool, playful yet feminineDifferent Shades of Lilac in Different Textures—very interestingPattern-on-pattern in a modern way—Strong yet Soft and feminineMuted Patels with Earthy Tones—TimelessIf you like dark and neutral, a touch of muted pink just just bring the energy out.I always feel plush lilac is kind of cool with silky grey blue
Earth tones with PastelsEarth Tones with Pastels
Hope you enjoy all of these. Please stay in tuned, we will bring these updated color palette to home soon.
Happy Saturday
Interested in our interior design service, please contact info@khkdesignsinteriors.com
In my recent posts, I talked a lot about paint colors, but choosing the right finishes is equally important to reach the goal. Often different paint companies have different terms for their finishes. So, it might be confused and a little bit intiminated when you have to choose your paint colors. So, today I will share Here 5 tips to make the process easier:
Understand the sheens: first of all, please don’t worry that you have to choose at least dozens of sheens from different brands . Most brands of paint come in several sheens, and both latex and oil-based paints are available in different sheen levels. Gloss sheens have the highest light-reflective characteristics. Next are semigloss sheens; then satin, eggshell, or low-lustre sheens; and then flat or matte sheens. So, general speaking, here are basic 6 sheens : flat, matte, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss and high-gloss. The lower the sheen, typically means the lower the cost per gallon. Since homes tend to have multiple bedrooms to paint, you can actually save a few bucks by choosing flat or matte paint for these rooms.
2. Decide finishes by how busy the traffic is in those spaces: rule of the thumb here is the higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be and the easier it can cleaned. Flat paint has no shine; high-gloss is all shine. In between are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own practical and decorative job to do. So I guess you get it, high gloss will be perfect for kitchen & bath areas.
High Gloss
Practical application: kitchens, door, and window trim
Durability: very high
Semi-Gloss
Good for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains challenge walls. Also great for trim work that takes a lot of abuse.
Has a yummy luster that, despite the name, is often described as velvety. It’s easy to clean, making it excellent for high-traffic areas. Its biggest flaw is it reveals application flaws, such as roller or brush strokes. Touch-ups later can be tricky.
Practical application: family rooms, foyers, hallways, kids’ bedrooms
Durability: high
Eggshell
Between satin and flat on the sheen (and durability) scale is eggshell, so named because it’s essentially a flat (no-shine) finish with little luster, like a chicken’s egg. Eggshell covers wall imperfections well and is a great finish for gathering spaces that don’t get a lot of bumps and scuffs.
Practical application: dining rooms, living rooms
Durability: medium
Flat or Matte
fFat/matte soaks up, rather than reflects, light. It has the most pigment and will provide the most coverage, which translates to time and money savings. However, it’s tough to clean without taking paint off with the grime.
Practical application: adults’ bedrooms and other interior rooms that won’t be roughed up by kids
Durability: medium-low
3. Decide finishes by the conditions of the walls.
Glossy sheen will highlight any imperfections in the surface. Allocate yourself time to deep clean the wall, spackle any holes, and let the surface fully dry.
Eggshell is great for spaces that are lived-in but not quite as exposed to the messes and moisture frequently found in kitchens and bathrooms.
Satin hey’re also excellent at resisting mildew, dirt and stains (they can better withstand cleaning and light scrubbing) making them more suitable for frequently used spaces than their eggshell counterparts. Try this finish in hallways, children’s rooms and on woodwork that will need to withstand modest wear and tear.
Flat and Matte- great for hiding surface imperfections making walls look smooth. This finish, which cleans easily with a damp sponge.
4. Decide finishes by aesthetic:
The higher the sheen, the more vivid and rich your color will appear, making it ideal for deep, jewel-toned colors such as reds, forest greens and navy blues. Experts are partial to this finish for wood surfaces, such as trim, cabinets and doors, but only when blemishes are minimal as shinier surfaces make flaws more evident.
High Gloss Finishes the Doors and TrimsGloss Finish on the Walls, Trims and Door.High Gloss Finish on the WallsEggshell finish on the walls. Satin Finish on the Doors and TrimsMatte Finish on the Walls
5. Open to the new technologies: there are new paints with new technologies. For example, Benjamin Moore just develops new matte finish which can be used in bathroom and super durable and easy to clean.
Although the end users are able to access tremendous home decor products nowadays, one of the challenges they have is how to put everything together beautifully and efficiently based on their personalities and tastes, specially when they are super busy with their own professions. That is why some of our clients approached us lately for design help after making a lot of mistakes by their own. They finally figure out that hiring an interior designer for their projects is actually a pretty good deal to help them achieve their goals in a cost-effective way. Here are 5 reasons to hire an interior designer:
Save your money in a big way—avoid many costly mistakes at the very beginning.
Save your time without any doubt— a designer know how to plan a space professionally and they already has a trained sense of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done, and they’ll be able to anticipate any obstacles that may come up. Therefore, your whole project will move faster in a streamlined way.
Reduce your stress tremendously— try to do it by yourself, and you’re stuck juggling the many elements that go into the process. For example, it takes a lot of work and energy just to order right things and follow up them through.
Access to better resources and contacts. Yes , you can access to tremendous products in the market but you don’t know who are good and who are not. After browsing one website after another one, you may feel totally lost and confused. Everyone knows it’s difficult to find good resources. But designers already work in the world of home improvement, so they’re going to have reliable connections that you may need. Hiring a designer will help you easily find an electrician, plumber, and/or contractor that you can trust. Designers also have access to tons of product and fabric that is not available to the general public. With these resources, an interior designer will create a space for you that looks collected and unique.
Yes, you’re going to have wow factor. Interior designers are trained to think creatively and spatially and learn to see an overall picture that clients often cannot. Thinking outside of the box is what designers do on the regular. Not only will you get a good design sense, but you’ll also get an attention to detail from proper lighting and furniture placement to fabric choices and color palette and fixture options. A professional interior designer will create custom-designed pieces to make sure everything fits perfectly and is truly special to your home. Plus, designers are constantly learn the new colors, new products, new technologies, new trends which may solve your problems like a magic and yet are not caught up by the mass market yet.
Hope you find above information useful and please check out one of our latest project below:
Fashion icon, socialite, and artist and interior designer Gloria Vanderbilt has died at the age of 95. Inspired by her quote on home decor :”Decorating is autobiography,” and quote on art:”Art brings a message into a room. It should make us perceive in a new way—either through color, form or narrative content—something we had not perceived before. And perhaps reveal something to you about yourself.”, today, I would like to share some of my favorite interiors by her and, of course her styles:
Chic and classical
A women living by her own term.
Elegant and Timeless
a well-lived life
a statement on sophitication
Anderson Cooper, Wyatt Cooper, Carter Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt in their Manhattan apartment, June 1972. A pink checkered sofa set a happy and relaxing tone for a happy family.
Gloria Vanderbilt in her dressing room–a vivid chic boho style
Bedroom of Gloria Vanderbilt, 1970–it requires a lot of savvy skills and good eye on art to create such a grand pattern-on-pattern room.
Dining room in the Long Island home of Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Cooper–Modern, yet classic
Gloria Vanderbilt sits in her Manhattan living room–a large floor portrait makes such a statement.
Like every creative person, throughout the years, she was constantly changing, painting, embellishing, and reconfiguring her houses in New York City and Long Island. It was like therapy for her from time to time. Visit her instagram to see her legendary life
Well, you are maybe like one of my friends who always think that minimalism is kind of boring and cold for the home. I was like that not long ago. But minimalism has involved a lot from past several years. You can add some textures, you can do layer on layer, and you can just add a dose of quirkiness. Here are 5 ways to your minimalism home warm, inviting yet still modern, chic and clean.
Simple neutral background color scheme. Yes, here is your chaos-free paradise–simple, calm and soothe, the place you can have a good nap.
Such a soothe color palette
2. Add touch of softness to a space with simple neutral color scheme—an elegant drapery, a fresh flower arrangement, a beloved artwork, all of these elements will make the space warm, inviting and super human.
The sheer softens this modern space.The artwork suddenly make this space alive and full of energy.Fresh flowers put a big smile on everybody’s face.
3. Yes, add some textures please.
A place to chill out.Organic and warm.layered beauty.
4. Have one or two unique furniture pieces to show your distinguished taste:
Hello, everyone, here is our part II tile trends in 2019. If you haven’t red the part I, please click here to learn more
I recently attended Daltile designer event for the showcase of new tile products. I feel it is pretty amazing specially I can find the local manufactures who custom-made such fashionable and cool design tiles right here in our backyard. Here are 2 of trends I observed from the showcase:
Moroccan tile influence : Moroccan tiles are famous for its hand-made quality, its uniqueness, fun patterns and craftsmanship. People start to bring these vibes to machine-made ceramic tiles with lower cost and much-faster lead time. Here are some samples I found from the showcase:
Don’t you just like this fashionable vintage color pairs : sky-blue and bright yellow in such a playful Moroccan-style geometric pattern.Do you notice the chiseled edge? It’s quite boho and organic. I think these tiles can make a very adorable counter backsplash. Again, the pop of yellow make me feel cheerful.This tile design is one of my favorites. I love the muted neutral color palette. This pattern can be quite classic and modern at the same time. It truly can make your kitchen stay timeless.
2. Color, color, color : there will be more bold colors for tile design in 2019. I did a lot of grey tile projects in the past several years and I am open to some fashionable and bold colors.
I found coral and red at the showcase. The colors do make me feel excited:
This coral tiles will be perfect for a guest bathroom—warm and inviting.What do you think of color of red. This red tiles will make a strong statement in a powder room. I specially like the textured surface.
If you are thinking how to make your kitchen more efficient, more supportive for healthy eating and more fun for entertaining, here are 5 underrated appliances you definitely should consider to incorporate in your kitchen project: click here for detail
Fashion always inspires interior designs. Wouldn’t be nice if we are able to please our eyes every so often by incorporating some newest runway trends tat inspire us. Check out 5 ways to incorporate fashion into your home.
