Below is a re-post of an article I received that I felt was worth sharing. Our COVID-19 lifestyles have most definitely impacted the way we want to live in our homes. The article outlines lifestyle changes that are impacting the interior design choices being made. Connected, Simplified, Healthy are some of the key design objectives being considered.
Empty to Fabulous!
S Interior Design was hired to furnish an entire home including all of the finishing touches. We created a unique, contemporary , elegant, comfortable and easy to care for home that reflects the homeowners life stage and lifestyle. They love to entertain family and friends and the multiple seating and dining areas both inside and outside allow them to do that with ease. A neutral palette of colors combine with pops of blue through out the home. Mixed metals were incorporated in the light fixtures and accessories. Organic inspired design features include petrified wood , marble, concrete and more. The original abstract art work was sourced from local artists.
Here are some photos of the completed design project by
S Interior Design . Enjoy!
To see more photos please visit :
Livable Garage Space
Below is a guest post on the subject of converting your garage into livable space to then rent out as a source of income. Maybe a good idea , maybe not….but even if you don’t want or need to do a conversion of the garage to lease out, you may still want to use it as additional living space for yourself. Perhaps a teen hang out space? Or a men’s den?
While it is not as easy to do as simply putting down an area rug and adding a sofa, it can be done much more easily than building an add on structure from the ground up.
Converting Garage Into a Living Space
Cities all around the country are experiencing tremendous growth in real estate and asset prices, and people are looking for ways to cope (or cash in) on the recent spike in rent prices. If you are a homeowner who perhaps is recently out of work, or just are looking for another stream of income, then perhaps you should consider converting your garage into a living space.
Perhaps your child has just graduated college and is having trouble finding work. While their old bedroom has been demolished and rebuilt into your new library, the garage is still a viable spot for them to live, with a quick renovation. San Francisco, New York, and other cities in the United States are seeing astronomical rent prices, so there’s a chance that your new rental space could be quite a cash cow, even if it is just a spruced up garage. here are several reasons to consider renovating your garage into a living space. There are several aspects to consider, which we have outlined below.
Remodeling Essentials
When you are remodeling your garage into a living space, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. If the garage is attached to the house, then you will need to think about how the renter will be able to access this space. Will they be passing through the main house to access the space? A detached garage will require more insulation, as it is a separate structure from the main dwelling. Many people are renting out these spaces as “mother in law” units, especially in college towns where students are looking for a cheap place to sleep.
Insulation and Temperature Control
Windows and doors are where the vast majority of heat is lost from a structure, so your first priority is ensuring that these areas are insulated with high quality materials. Insulated windows and doors can do an incredible job on cutting heating and cooling bills, and they are definitely worth the investment. Since a garage door is much larger than a standard door, insulating this door is especially important for temperature control.
Living spaces likely require more privacy than the typical garage, so be sure to install blinds and curtain rods. Likewise, you will want to make sure that the door used to access the room has a lock and is working smoothly. If the floor is concrete, then it can be dreadfully cold in the winter. Installing snap-in wooden flooring is a relatively cheap way to make the space more attractive and livable.
Interior design Considerations
Garages are small, so you should focus on creating utilitarian shelving and storage spaces that allow people to organize their things and avoid clutter. Installing a wooden or vinyl flooring will ensure that the floor is more comfortable and cohesive.
Pay attention to the lighting in the room. A nice floor and new blinds won’t make up for a single lightbulb dangling bare from the ceiling, attached with a bright orange extension cord. Even a cheap overhead lighting fixture coupled with a lamp or two can make a space look much more cozy. Christmas lights are popular lighting choices for students, and they’re quite affordable to boot.
Shelving and modular furniture can be very useful for using a garage as a living space. A futon is another student staple, and the ability to use it as a couch and a bed makes it very attractive for someone living on a small budget. Tables with integrated cabinets and storage can meet a variety of needs in one piece, allowing you to save space and maximize usefulness to the user.
Natural wood materials are very on-trend and also match the rustic charm of converting a garage into a living space. Consider drying a tree stump and using it as an end table. Raw wooden planks can also be painted with bold colors for a more edgy look. No matter what decorative palette you use, it will be a hit as long as the space is inviting and functional. Following these tips will help you renovate your garage a desirable and attractive living space. Renters will be flocking to rent out your space, and your wallet will be much heavier.
Leather Furniture-Love it or Leave It?
Leather furniture—folks either love it or tend to dislike it. S Interior Design spends time speaking with their clients about the pros and cons of leather seating and often will mix leather furniture with furniture upholstered in fabrics. As the guest post below states, too much leather in a space is not the way to go, rather use in moderation for the best end result.
Furnishing your home is a personal choice. Whether you’re moving into a new home or redecorating or refreshing your current one, your choice of furniture is important. Many homeowners try to find the balance between stylish and durability. Many furniture pieces on the market today have a lot of pizzazz, but may be too delicate or poorly made to last more than a few years. If you’re looking for furniture that’s beautiful, easy to care for, and will last a lifetime or two, then consider leather furniture. Leather is a wonderful, organic material that’s strong, durable, and if made right, can be a beautiful addition to any home. Many manufacturers offer a wide range of leather pieces, from sofas to leather-bound tables and you can use leather furniture to varying effects in your own home.
Decorating with Leather Furniture
Decorating with leather furniture in your own home can be easy. Much like anything, the secret is moderation. Having one or two large pieces is usually the best way to go, otherwise, if you used leather for everything, then you may go overboard and it just will look kitschy. For most people, a leather sofa or sectional would be the main purchase, since this is also the largest and most-used piece you’ll have at home. If you pick a good, full-grain leather sofa, this can last for years and it can look good in any living room.
If you want to incorporate leather furniture in your bedroom, consider a plush leather headboard. Not only does this make your room look elegant, but if you like to read or sit up in bed, you won’t need additional pillows. A leather armchair can also bring some Old World elegance into your bedroom alcove or any room, for that matter. If you have a sitting room, office, or library, a leather armchair would look great next to the window or near the fireplace.
Don’t think you can’t use leather in the kitchen. If you have a counter or breakfast nook, why not purchase matching stools upholstered in leather? Better yet, handsome leather bar stools would look great standing next to a shiny, wet bar.
Caring For Your Leather Furniture
Leather can be quite tough and will last a long time, not to mention become even softer and more beautiful after a few years. However, you should also take measures to care for your leather pieces. For one thing, make sure you clean and dust them like you would any furniture piece. Dust them regularly to prevent dirt from accumulating on the surface and small nooks and crannies. If you or a guest spills something on the leather, mop it up right away. Although leather is water-resistant, liquids can still seep in between the seams and cause moisture to build inside. This is bad because this can cause mold and mildew to form or promote rust in the metal parts of the frame (or both). Once the inside of your furniture begins to deteriorate, there may be little you can do to save it. Once in a while, every six months or so, you should use a special leather oil or conditioner (available at many furniture shops) to keep the surface soft and supple. Apply as directed on the bottle and your leather furniture will stay shiny and new as the day you bought it.
Using leather around the home can be advantageous in many ways. Not only does leather look classy when used right, but it can last for a long time. That means you won’t have to spend for repairing the furniture or having them replaced every few years. Indeed, many happy owners of leather furniture refuse to replace their pieces because after a few years, it still looks good or even better than when they bought it.
5 Home Office-Small Office Design Ideas
More and more of us are spending time at WORK in our home offices (or away from home). The lines are blurred between work and play and our office spaces need to support functionality AND comfort and even a bit of fun. The guest post below highlights 5 uniquely designed office spaces. One is sure to hit your personal ‘sweet spot’ of what you would want your office space to look and feel like. Of particular interest to S Interior Design is The Pod, and the Rooftop Office.
Modern and Contemporary
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If you prefer the minimal look and would like a crisp white office with a difference then add a splash of green and enjoy the twist!
All draws come with reversible fronts in a choice of colours and effects including striking lime green and traditional beech. Plus you can design your cube bookcases using the same interchangeable door fronts.
View the full range of office furniture and accessories at Viking from £49.99.
Comfy Cozy
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If you like your home comforts and prefer to feel at home in your office then this traditional office décor may suit your style. Everything about this space says “comfort” from the dim lighting to quality wooden furniture.
The office looks busy yet homely and is perfect for those homeowners put-off by minimal and new-age designs. Avoid the clinical look and opt for a more cosy office look for the winter months.
Designed by Willman Interiors.
Warm and light
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This room is bright, light and great for both desktop working and chilling in your break.
The plentiful storage space guarantees to keep your desk free from clutter and makes you want to work from home! Add quirky pieces and wall fixtures like inspiring pictures or quotes for encouragement too.
Keep bang on trend with designer pieces such as Verner Panton’s S Chair and add a touch of modern glamour to your warm interior design.
Designed by O’Hara Interiors.
The Pod
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When your home is overcrowded with your partner, room-mates, kids and pets it’s sometimes nice to get away from it all to concentrate on work.
Thankfully, the Office Pod is here to help and advertises itself as a great way to “separate your office from the home; an easy to construct shelter that provides both style and functionality”. Although quite a tight fit, you will comfortably squeeze everything you need to work from home in one compact booth.
Read the full story.
Rooftop space
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Although the English weather doesn’t usually permit it, the Royal Horticultural Society made a rooftop workplace perfect for the summer months.
Sponsored by RBS, the modern design from Patricia Fox was inspired by the abundance of underused roof space in London’s most popular business districts.
The ‘office garden’ has various sections depending on staff needs; hanging chairs for making calls and browsing the net, a “pick your own herbal tea bar” for thirsty office workers and a canopy complete with projection screen for conference calls and presentations.
Read more about Patricia’s designs here.