Interior Design Scottsdale, AZ by S Interior Design

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Exterior House Color Trends

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There is a movement away from the tans and taupes, the so called desert colors commonly used on the exteriors of homes or offices in Arizona and the Southwest region of the country.  The harsh sun makes it challenging to sustain the paint condition of the exterior of your home.  An additional challenge is presented when Home Owners Associations  dictate the color palette a home owner may choose their paint colors from.

A look at new or recently re-furbished commercial properties (condominiums, apartment complexes, shopping centers) will illustrate the move away from the lighter desert tones TO more vibrant, saturated colors that make a visual design statement and stand up to the harsh environment better.  A trip to any of the new home developments reveal a greater choice of more exciting color options.

Color can be used to highlight or downplay your home’s architectural details (or lack there of).  For example, painting the eaves and fascia the same color as the walls will make a short building look taller, while painting them the same color as the roof will make a tall building look shorter.  Columns, pop-out window details or trim can be highlighted with accent color to draw the eye towards them.

If there is an interior design question you would like
S Interior Design to address, please submit it to us at :
suzanne@sinteriordesign.com

Design Details Aren’t Details After All

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Today I completed one of my favorite steps for a client; the installation
of   artwork and accessories.  Without these finishing touches, rooms feel
unfinished, not quite complete.

The powder room had been totally remodeled,  new cabinetry, exotic granite countertops, travertine with glass insert tiles for the flooring, zen inspired wall color, crisp lighting, brushed nickel plumbing fixtures; the whole nine yards.  Although it looked great, it didn’t look finished.

The unique artwork and custom designed faux flora on the counter top and hung on the wall in a glass vase wrapped in metal above the toilet make this powder room one of the most appealing rooms in the home.
Another Example:

Here is the stairwell at the same client’s home.
It had been altered significantly from the original oak wood finished stair railing surrounded by stark white walls to the classic high gloss black and white railing seen here.

Compare the two pictures.  The top one shows the contemporary vertical artwork and 7′-0″ palm tree in the fluted ceramic pot that is glazed in colors to complement the design elements in the family room.  The bottom one doesn’t.  Which do you prefer?

Powder RmStairwell After Art & AccessoriesStairwell Redone But Not Complete

Color Your World

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The economy is struggling,  political battles are in full swing, our environment is being polluted.  No doubt there are plenty of things to feel less than positive about.  As we try to conserve discretionary income, we are tending to stay at home more.  This is the time to make your home environment an upbeat, tranquil one.

But you say, ” I don’t have a lot of money to redecorate/remodel.”.  As many of you have heard before, painting is one of the least expensive, highest impact things you can do to immediately change the look and feel of your home. The most recent Dunn-Edwards newsletter had some interesting information to share about the 2009 Color Forecast.  Below are some excerpts:

Color choices will either be soft and pale, very dark and nocturnal, or full of natural chroma.  The centrifuge for this change is the individual’s drive toward personal expression–that innate need to emote qualities and characteristics that make us uniquely us.

One influence is increasing globalization….Another powerful influence is the global momentum behind sustainability….

Dunn Edwards goes on to classify and give fun marketing names to eleven color schemes.

If you are ready to try some new paint color in your home, don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  Go outside your color comfort zone and see what happens.

If you would like assistance, S Interior Design would love to help.  We bring our Dunn Edwards paint color kit to you! 480-220-4659, www.sinteriordesign.com

Kitchen Remodel by S Interior Design - Very colorful!
Kitchen Remodel by S Interior Design - Very colorful!