WIKKI How Expert – Interior Design Wisdom

May 23, 2021 by Suzanne Lasky

Recently S Interior Design was asked to participate as a WikiHow Expert on several interior design related topics. Here are the links to a few of the short videos on each subject; at total of 8. You can see all (8) on the YouTube WikiHow.com site or by clicking on the links shown a the bottom of this post. https://www.wikihow.com/Watch/Expert-Meet-Suzanne-Lasky

2021 Design Color and Materials

December 28, 2020 by Suzanne Lasky

Every year Sherwin Williams presents the color palettes they feel will be relevant in the coming year. They compile vast amounts of research to present the underlying environmental components that are contributing to the color palettes’ appeal. Below is a snippit of some of those trends for your consideration.

INFLUENCES

S Interior Design had written a post about Interior Design Trends and Biophilic Design was featured as Trend 1 in the post. Take a read to learn more!

Related to Biophilic Design in our opinion is getting design inspiration from Organic Elements; those found in nature.

Not at all surprising given the reality of our world this year, Security both physical and emotional are paramount concerns that manifest in color choices that make us feel more secure.

Again related to the unsettled anxiety of our status right now, we want to re-visit times when we felt more secure and safe. However, we do inject the nostalgic design with a modern current over tone to feel current.

Here are the four paint color trend categories from S.W.

As always, S Interior Design will suggest that regardless of trends that you use the colors and materials in your homes that work best for your personal styles and preferences.

We are looking forward to helping you all realize your interior design dreams in 2021!!

Plants, Hard Scape and LIGHTING!

September 5, 2020 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest posting on you guessed it….OUTDOOR LIGHTING. Just like the interior of your home, a well thought out lighting plan for the exterior of your home is very important to successful design. I like to take cues for fun outside lighting ideas from restaurant patios and hotel/resort outside spaces. S Interior Design will often work with their clients to design the patio areas of their homes which essentially are extended living and entertaining spaces. Colors and even material selections are chosen to create visual flow from inside to outside. Here in Scottsdale, Arizona we want to use our outdoor ‘rooms’ year round.

All layers of lighting should be considered.

Functional – light the walk ways to the front door, light the address at the front of your home, the garage entry.

Accent lights- up lighting on trees and planting areas, lighting to define a specific area of the yard, wall sconces on back patio areas.

Fun design lighting elements such as the string lights shown below.

Outdoor table and floor lamps powered by solar and batteries also can be used when designing an outdoor living space.

Cool Outdoor DIY Lighting Tips and Ideas

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Ever cruised or walked through a well-lit neighborhood at night and saw how outdoor lighting adds beauty to homes?

With outdoor lighting, you can create and enjoy a relaxed, well-lit space, which is especially handy when summer rolls in. Think barbecues with friends, star-gazing with your kids or significant other, backyard events. Night-time outdoor events create fond and lasting memories, especially when your outdoors is well illuminated.

DIY lighting tips

While it appears to be a daunting task, outdoor lighting can be done without any specialized knowledge or experience. You only need some ideas and creativity. So, here are some tips, advice, and ideas to get you going..

1. Use solar lights

Unless you don’t mind spending a significant amount of your monthly income on electricity bills, consider installing solar powered lights. Besides, they are easier to install and are good for the planet.

Solar lighting systems convert sunlight into energy that is stored in batteries for use at night. However, you need to consider your geographic location before installing outdoor solar lights – without enough sunlight, there won’t be energy to light up the bulbs at night.

2. Balance security and aesthetics

Whatever your reasons for outdoor lighting, they all revolve around security and aesthetics.

It is possible to achieve a balance between the two; lights that look good and provide enough illumination.

For starters, take a flashlight and take a walk around your home at night. Identify the dark areas that need to be illuminated for security reasons. Think about the type of lighting you need. Consider the types of light and the specific areas to place the light, such as pathways, patios, garage doors, among others.

3. Consider your neighbors

Like any good neighbor, there are two things you need to consider when placing outdoor lighting at your home.

First, the position of the lighting is essential. Please do not put the lights facing directly into your neighbor’s windows as this may create too much light at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Secondly, the brightness of the light should be taken into account. No one wants blazing spotlights facing their home. Fear not, there are some solutions. For example, installing epoxy flooring on your deck removes the need for high wattage lights as it is shiny and thus reflects light.

Remember, very bright lights consume a lot of energy, which only adds to your electricity bills.

4. Consider longevity

It will be costly to replace your outdoor lights every now and then. Don’t just go to the market and pick any bulb, no. Check the quality. Even if it costs more, you will save in the long run.

Go for outdoor lighting systems that require little or no maintenance – solar lights score high on this.

Outdoor lighting is exposed to harsh climatic conditions like rain, snow and harsh sunlight. So, look for solutions that are weather resistant. Alternatively, you can shield your lights using various materials.

What’s more, the bulbs can be stolen or destroyed by someone at night while you are asleep. Ensure that the lights are secured and protected against such conditions.

5. Color, style, and size

The color, size, and style of your lights come into play, especially if you are looking to decorate your home with outdoor lighting.

You can choose a single color or mix the colors to make your home more attractive. If you plan on using only a few bulbs, go for the larger ones. And again, the size will depend on the use of the light.

You can create different patterns or styles in different parts of your home. You can use outdoor lighting to direct your visitors/guests within your compound.

Best outdoor lighting ideas

Spotlights

These are lights that only point in one direction. If you want to illuminate your plants, patios, driveway, and statues, this is the best outdoor lighting solution for you. They come with an iris and a manual device, enabling you to change the intensity of the light and also adjust the angle of the beam.

Floodlights

Floodlights are very bright and can be used to illuminate a larger area. They are mostly placed above facing downwards to light up your patios, driveway, among other essential places in your home. These are great when you have a larger event happening in your backyard to lit up all corners.

Step lights

Tired of guessing which step to make on your deck? Step lights are usually placed on the sides of each step to help you traverse safely.

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String lights

String lights are pretty, especially when you are hosting a party or wedding at night. They are easy to install and are placed on poles or trees to create a picturesque scene. Most of them are weather-proof and can serve you for quite some time.

Bottomline

The above tips and ideas will help you light up your outdoors based on your needs. Whether you want to enhance the security of your home or to add some decor to your home, outdoor lighting makes it possible. And with the many variations of lighting solutions, there is no excuse to stay in the dark.

Lifestyle Changes Seen Resulting in Key New Design Trends

August 4, 2020 by Suzanne Lasky

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.

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5 Trends in the Interior That Are Relevant in 2020

July 14, 2020 by Suzanne Lasky

Here is an article / guest post about design trends for 2020. I know it is now 6 months into the year, but S Interior Design chose to publish it to allow readers to relate to the trends written about especially the Biophilic & Multi-functional Spaces sections. As we spend more and more time in our homes these areas are particularly relevant for our lives.

What comes to your mind when you think of trendy interior designs? Is it the exquisite beauty and class or is it the flashy colors and signature designer brands and furniture? It’s quite evident that trends could change overnight and soon become forgotten. What makes them stand the test of time in the hall of trends? Interior design trends 2020have proved that anything goes when it comes to mixing creative juices for a perfect and unique outlook.

As much as style is essential and crucial in home décor, individuality and perspectives always have the upper hand. As some would prefer minimalist interior trends, some will go out with no expenses spared on luxe interior trends and designs. The level of work rate involved will depend on the individual’s preferences. They could be into DIY plans, commissioning custom pieces, or into the craft and arty designs.

Relevant Interior Trends

So what are the latest trends in interior design? It’s interesting to see craft unfolding in visual ways that express our personalities or characters. Below are some of the best trends in interior design in 2020.

1. Biophilic Design

Biophilic Design is an interior trend that is soon gaining popularity for green interior trends in 2020. This design incorporates a natural element that provides an outdoor experience, but this time inside a roof and confined between walls. Designers fuse material, vegetation and regulate light intensity into modern built environments to add more definition and life in a setting.

Also, setting experts have come to the understanding that natural element in the interior plays a significant role in balancing blood pressures and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety management. With green as its primary color representing life and productivity, it is evident that designing your home in such a manner could improve your well-being. It keeps your creative juices flowing all round the clock through the nourishment obtained from the leafy and natural interior trend.

Ways of Enhancing the Biophilic Design

If you enjoy experiencing nature directly, you should:

Incorporate indoor plants, indoor gardens and live walls
Addition of fountains
Use of natural light

Designing your house more naturally enhances your environment’s sustainability and promotes wellness as you naturally integrate yourself into nature.

2. Multi-functional Spaces

In 2020 people are resorting to turning their home spaces into a working environment. It is brought about by the convenience of technology on options of working from home. It could be the tone set by your furniture or color combination that attracts a certain work ethic that motivates you. Multi-functional spaces have become one of the most admired designs where one can have a workplace, learning area, and a home all under one roof.

Every section of the house is in a pre-existing manner that could serve more than its original purpose. A good example would be kitchens with island counters where they could be as dining areas, for meal preparations, and even as a work station; this kind of trend cuts out the options of needing extra rooms for the said activities, which all could happen at the same place with convenience.

Another perfect example would be incorporating your gym in your garage. By this, you’ll be getting the convenience of having your own secluded time of workouts and meditation and still have a place for some of the best tools to own or work on your vehicle.

3. Eclectic Glamour

In 2020, this is the standard setting of a luxurious home. The luxe interior trend oozes refinement, confidence, and boldness far above the norm. To some, these settings might seem a bit “extra”, but to the owner, the finer details play a crucial part in the elegance of the home. It’s considered a high-end set up of the classical thirties fused with modern-day opulence.

Glamour is present in every bit of furniture from the state-of-the-art wall paintings to rounded furniture with distinct and interior trend colors 2020. Rich tones of bold colors and an exquisite taste of rich sexy aroma fill the atmosphere once you set foot past the door.

4. Floral Wallpapers

There are nature lovers who could be allergic to plants yet are dying to have them in their homes. Floral wallpaper is the perfect go-to design that provides that gaze-worth contemporary style to it. With vibrancy and appeal as its primary objective, floral designs have been nicknamed “attention seekers” for how effortless they visually allure and enchant.

Floral wallpaper thrives well in any room in your house from bathrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, hallways to even your bedroom where intense roses paired with the perfect choice of furniture could always set a mood. Flowers brighten homes and still shed light on the vibrancy of life. There are many adhesive options to pick from, and all depend on your preferences as a floral enthusiast.

5. Two-Tone Setups

Monochromatic setups are gaining popularity among the less sophisticated and laid back individuals. Two-tone structures involve two bold colors that add depth in a room, complement each other, and reflect a firm and authentic ambiance. Revitalizing your home or rather rooms with specific colors will ease pressure on the type of furniture to get because it will always be something resonating with your home’s design.

Setting up proper color combinations requires an expert’s touch to it for advice on some of the interior paint trends in 2020. Exploring rare colors could be a new trend as well as you don’t have to rely on past used or commonly use monochromatic setups.

Conclusion

We should buckle up for a mad stylistic ride on ideas and interior design trends in 2020. With a lot to pick from, it boils down to your personality, individual preferences, and personal budget. Styles are continually getting redefined and complemented with few tweaks and experimental aspects to it to stand out and turn out as a perfect reference point and trademark of beauty and creativity.

If you’ve liked the interior trends or have some awesome interior ideas, please feel free to share.

Author Bio

Leslie Simpson is an interior designer with 15 years of experience. She is fond of literature and likes sharing her professional experience in her blog. In her spare time, Leslie likes walking with her dog.