Post pictures of or write about your LEAST favorite room in your home on our Facebook page for a chance to win a room re-do between now and February 20th!  Leave a brief description about what you dislike and why. Encourage friends to “like” your post.  The person with the most “likes” will win. The winner will be announced Monday, February 27th. Details are below!

5 Easy Steps:

1. Log into your Facebook account.

2. Find us on Facebook at:   http://www.facebook.com/ParadigmInteriorDesignInc  

3. Click on “Photo” which is write next to “Post”.

 4. Select Upload a Photo

5. Click “Choose File” to select the image you want to upload

Contest Details:

- Submit photos of one room – post via your computer or phone to Facebook.

- Encourage friends and family to like your post and picture.  The person with the most “likes” will win.

- There are no restrictions on the location of the property.

*Winner will receive a room re-do. We start by rearranging your existing pieces of furniture to make the space more functional and visually appealing.  Next we can help you select paint colors, accessorize, and fall back in the love with your home!

- Winner will be announced February 27th via Facebook and our website/blog.  Pictures of the before and after will be posted on our blog upon completion.

 Before

After

Bored with your home?  Looking for some easy, affordable ways to freshen things up?  Look no further!  Here are some quick fixes to update any room in your home.

Option 1: Paint

Get rid of the boring beige.  Below is a great example of how a little color on the walls can brighten up a space and make it feel larger.

 Work to find the right balance of light and dark.  This will prevent a room with dark walls from feeling small.  The light floors, cabinets, and ceiling are a beautiful contrast to the navy walls.

Don’t be afraid to try a bright color.

That said, neutrals can also make a statement when the right hue is used.  Notice how crisp this color looks with the white trim.

Try a pattern to make a bold statement in a small space.

Consider putting the pattern on the floor.  It is a great way to provide color and visual interest in any space.

Option 2: Revamp or upgrade a light fixture

This is a great example of how an old brass chandelier can have a new life if you have the time for a little DIY project.  Try a spray paint with a gloss finish.

I had to throw this in.  I made a wine glass chandelier to go with my thesis project back in college.  It took 36 wine glasses, fishing line, and a single light bulb.

I love using chandeliers in different spaces such as bedrooms, closets, or bathrooms.  They add a touch of nostalgia and intimacy to a room.

A funky grouping of fixtures can make a dynamic statement.

Option 3: Make your bed the throne of your bedroom

Reinvent your headboard.  Try a found material like the one below made of old plank floor boards.

Consider reupholstering an antique headboard with a bold color or pattern that draws the eye.

If you don’t have room or the budget for a headboard, consider a wall decal.  They are an inexpensive, fun way to give a room character.

Option 4: Reupholster or refinish

Find a piece of furniture that has good bones but is in sad shape.  Give it some TLC and the end product can be stunning.

This console has an old school finish, but a carefully applied coat of paint gives it a lovely new life.

Option 5: Invest

Invest in ONE “statement piece” of furniture per room.  It can be a piece that you lovingly refurbish or one that you choose to splurge on.  Whether a chair, desk, mirror, accent piece, table, or rug, the choice is up to you, but one thing is certain – it must steal the show.  What is your eye drawn to in the images below?

I started this post 4 months ago but stopped when I realized I needed more time to think about my position.  Then in July, I attended a Meetup at ABC Home about this very topic…and I’m settled on my position.   The discussion included a patent lawyer, Marc Misthal, John Edelman CEO of Design Within Reach, Kate Hable of Hable Construction and Alan Heller of Heller.  I recommend reading the post or watching the video if you’d like to get more information. 

photo courtesy of AT

Occasionally clients question whether or not it is appropriate to buy a knock-off.  This poses some difficult ethical questions.  “Is it ever okay to support the knock-off vendors?”   ”Is it okay to copy a piece and build it myself?” 

Here are my thoughts on this subject…

I believe that everyone should be able to afford good design, and we all can!  I believe copying someones design is infringing on their ideas and plain lazy.   Why copy when you can make something personal and more functional to your needs?  I’ve heard some manufacturers say it’s the best compliment to have a piece copied but if one of my designs were copied and sold for profit, I’d be pretty annoyed.  So what is a person to do?  Below is a quick snapshot of when I believe it is appropriate and when it’s a faux paux. 

Yes, do it!  I think it’s okay to buy reproductions if the manufacturer selling the item has acquired the license to reproduce them.  DWR (Design Within Reach) is very careful about making sure all their products have licenses.  When XYZ manufacturer is copying and selling the knock-off for less, it’s usually made with cheaper materials and without the original designers consent.  So, do some research because some manufacturers have paid for a license to reproduce the designs; most have not.  If the piece has meaning to you and you really want that designer piece but you can’t afford it, wait.  You’ll be so much happier the day you bring it home, you’ll feel proud to own an original that will continue to increase in value. 

Wait, no way!  If a client is asking me to duplicate a piece of furniture, I will take inspiration from the piece and either create a new piece inspired by the original or add details that are unique to our new piece.  Besides if you are going to copy a piece for yourself, you should make it special to you.  Add a drawer or change the leg shape but don’t copy it outright.  It’s just not ethical.

But I can’t afford the pieces I want and these knock-offs are so cheap…here’s what I’d suggest.  There are SO many talented artists, discarded furniture, etc.  Find a piece you like and make it yours.  No one wants their room to look like their friends…have fun with it.  If there is a funky piece you love, grab it.  It will make your interior personal and much more interesting.  Also consider finding a local artisan that has better quality than a Ikea piece.  These pieces often have a story to them and you’ll appreciate it more in the long term.   

This is a very sensitive topic and I welcome your thoughts and feedback. 

If you’d like to see the video or read the transcript from the Meetup I went to, click here.

Hickory Chair is hosting a design challenge and I’m up for it!  You know I am a great supporter of this company and I can’t think of anyone else that I’d rather have build one of my designs.  You can see my design below.  It is functional for both a dining room but also for the person whose office IS the dining table.  I’ve seen the home office need many times in smaller apartments and honestly, I’d love one for our home as well. 

I would be so grateful for your support so please click here to cast your vote for my design. 

As many of you already know I LOVE furniture design.  It has always been a dream to design and sell my concepts that I’ve created over the years.  Most of my designs come from a client need that cannot be filled by existing companies.  My designs are multi-functional because double duty is always better as our lives change.  If I am selected as the winner of this contest, I’ll be given a $10,000 credit with Hickory Chair but more importantly to me, my design may be built by Hickory Chair and possibly become part of their collection.   So please vote!    

The Scottsdale project consisted of a beautiful shell that my clients and I worked together to transform into their new home.  This was such a fun project; it took me out of my modern grove and let me explore a modern rustic interior.  As a designer I love switching between styles.  Here’s a few bits of information on this project.

Square Footage:  8,500 interior; 2,500 patio

Style:  Modern rustic

Challenge:  To honor the beautiful architectural details without screaming western.

Other fun notes:  We took advantage of custom details and drapery which really make a space personal.  It was hot when we shot the photos (it is Arizona) and the fireplace in the bedroom was blazing hot even with the AC on.  I have no fear that my clients will be warm in the winter.  Did you know that Saguaro cactus is a highly protected species of cacti?  You can get fined big time if you let one die on your property or move them without permission.  Thankfully, no cacti were harmed in this project.  

Exterior at dusk

Living before installation.

Living room after installation.  Custom drapery by Dressed to Kill pulled all our fabric colors together. 

Living – another angle.

Kitchen vignette showing detail of the custom chairs and drapery. 

Dining Room…our custom felt rug did not show up in time for the photo shoot.  Sad because we designed it using the motif found on the chair fabric to create a border.

Game Room, cluby and masculine.

Twin guest room with custom shades and bedding.  A slight nod to the western style. 

Desk in the twin room.  A beautiful find by my client.  Nice work!

King guest room…perhaps my favorite.  Warm and elegant.

King detail – LOVE those textures!

Queen guest room.  We worked with existing furniture and created this beautiful duvet cover that complimented the wood tones perfectly. 

Master bedroom sitting area.  The scale of this room is hard to capture on film.  The fireplace mantle is about one foot taller than me! 

Master Bedroom with its rich reds and yellows.  We custom made the nightstands to fit the space and used Hickory Chair for the beautiful chest of drawers on the far side of the room.  The bed is styled after pieces from the Museum of New Mexico. 

Office…can you spot my favorite pattern? 

Casita vignette with more great textures and color.  Love the custom pillows and rug!

Day 2 – Upholstry

First, is it NOT common for a factory to have both the case goods and upholstry production under one roof.  They manage it by keeping all areas clean and only bringing in goods needed for the day (allows more room).

Below, a large machine that cuts 30 chair legs at one time, guided by the artist.  I’ve never seen a machine like this – so cool!

Chairs being HAND sanded in prep for upholstry. 

Chair with springs ready to be hand tied.

Eight-way hand-tied springs complete.  They call it 8-way because the string is tied to the spring in 8 different places on each spring then secured down to the frame.  Eight-way hand-tied is the best support because they springs work with each other in supporting the person.  The “string” is polyester so that it won’t break, rot or stretch. 

 Hickory Chair also uses a polypropylene canvas and a row of steel bands to prevent any sagging. 

A chair ready for fabric

Every fabric that comes in is inspected for flaws before being sent to cutting.  This job was created by the women pictured here because she saw too many delays that happened from not making this crutial step.  Way to creat your own job!!

Fabric storage

Upholstry in the works

Tufting!  I love tufting.  It adds a wonderful dimension to any piece.  At HC, they hand tuft pieces for a consistent look and tie all buttons to the frame…no lost or popping buttons!

The fun facts:

• The frames are shaped by wood, not the upholstry padding that will pack down over the years.
• They use  a variety of guages in their 8-way hand-tied springs for support.
• No cardboard in their frames.  Yes, cheap furniture uses cardboard!
• They have an employee whose Dad owns a factory but he came to Hickory Chair to work with a “better company that does things right.” 

Last month I had the opportunity to attend Hickory Chair University in North Carolina.  It was such an amazing experience that I am still thinking about it.  Below is my experience, pictures and just a fragment of the education I learned.  This company produces wonderful, quality, hand made furniture in the United States…and that is why I’m blogging about the experience. 

Oh and it’s important to tell you that they haven’t had a price increase in several years.  Instead they continue to find ways to improve the process so that costs are reduced; not passed along. 

Day 1 – Case Goods

After a couple hours of class room time learning the nitty-gritty of wood furniture production, we got our first glimpse of the factory floor.  Wow…how could a factory be THIS clean?!  I was expecting saw dust filling the air but no such thing.  They sucked every last bit of saw dust out through vacuums built into the cutting tables.  I could breath the wonderful smell of wood without the dust. 

Most of the wood furniture (case goods) are made with veneer.  This allows for intricate designs and patterns on the face and tops of the pieces.  Designs and unique graining are not possible with solid wood.  Notice the veneers in the pictures below.  The first photo shows two woods and an inlay (dark brown) border.  The second shows the possibilities of pattern when using veneer. 

Each piece is carefully inspected with hand-held lights for flaws.  Work tables are hydraulic so employees don’t have to bend over to work. 

Below is a shot of a serpentine desk held in the air by a large “vice.” 

The same desk awaiting drawer fitting.  HC fits each drawer so that the gap on all sides is even.  Notice how each desk is hovering off the ground.  Each piece is attached to a “stand” to prevent damage to the legs and allows the piece to easily slide along the production line.   

The finishing booth…with it’s multiple heads for stain selection.  Another way they made the process more efficient – by eliminating the set-up/clean-up time for each individual stain.

Some fun, yet brilliant facts:

• Hickory Chair only brings in enough wood for production that day!  They discovered when workers see less, they essential treat each piece as a gift…that they can’t just goof and grab another piece of wood. 
• They have pieces of product around the factory that were initially tossed out.  The scraps were rescued and on them states how much that small piece of waste costs, how it adds up over the year, and many other staggering facts.  A good reminder for employees to monitor waste. 
• They give the employees power to really make decisions and change the way the factory works making it the efficient machine it is. 
• They use at least 3 dowels at the joints instead of the industry standards of 2 whenever they can.  Ever curse that wobbly, squeaky chair?  You won’t with Hickory Chair.  Three are much more stable than two.  In addition they are glued into place.

• Pieces made at Hickory Chair (only 23% is not made here) can ship in 2-4 weeks from the first cut of wood!   Yes, you read that right…amazing!  They continue to become even more efficient.
• Every employee is cross-trained so that if someone is sick it won’t slow down production or they can help those who may get behind.  They have a nurse and doctor on-site a few times a week to help cut down of time spent out of the work place.

NYC has inspired me to find creative solutions using every last square inch.   When people think NY, they conjure up images of shoe-box sized apartments.  Those who live in them likely despise them but I LOVE them.  They present challenges yes, but I enjoy a good design challenge so, bring it on.    Oh and did I mention that having a small space can be good because you can do nicer things as opposed to trying to fill a whole house.  Two of the biggest questions I get are 1. How do I find more room/make it feel larger and 2. How do I personalize it if it’s not mine?  Here comes some creative answers…

Not enough space:  You rarely have too little space; just too many favorite things.

• First, get organized.  This means everything needs a place.  If it doesn’t have a home, we all know it will likely lay out making the space cluttered and feeling all too small.  Hit the Container Store and find storage solutions for all those homeless items.  File away any paper goods or scan them to your computer for future reference.  Buy boxes and label them…because the insides don’t have to be pretty, just the outside.  Oh and don’t forget my new favorite gadget – the P-Touch for labeling everything.
• If you can afford it, build-in custom shelving and storage.  This is the ideal solution because you can design it to fit your space and special items.  It will free up so much space you’ll be surprised.
• If you think you are going to be in your apartment for awhile paint all the walls in a lacquer or high gloss.  This reflects and bounces the light around the room making it instantly feel larger. 
• Or if you don’t want to paint, add mirrors to reflect light. 
• Consider custom made furniture pieces that fit the room better than store bought ones.  Also if you customize it, you can make it multifunctional (think coffee table becomes dining table when you have guests). 

My space looks like a rental:  Only because it needs a little love and creative solutions.

• Use removable wallpaper or decal patterns to create an overall pattern.  I’ve even heard of people using masking tape to create patterns. 
• Paint the small rooms like a bathroom or entry.  These are less work to repaint when moving out. 
• While you rent is definitely the time to start acquiring your ”forever furniture.”  Begin buying items that you can keep forever even if you have to save up for a year…it will be worth it in the long run.  These pieces should have character to liven up the room.
• Add color or texture with a new area rug.
• Art – start collecting pieces that inspire you.  Check out the local art league for shows.  You can pick up some great works from up-and-coming artists at reasonable prices.
• Consider drapery because it finishes a space and adds that additional pop of color or pattern.  Even if you have to custom make it remember it can always be re-purposed into something else later if it doesn’t fit a new window.  Think:  pillows, duvet, window seat cover or even a shower curtain. 
• The best places to bring in your personality is in fabrics, art and accessories while renting.  Plus they all move with you when you’re ready. 

Okay I have to admit, I have a thing for chairs.  I LOVE them!  Some women come home with shoes; I have been known to come home with a chair.  They come in so many different forms that can evoke a sense of wonder, sophistication or whimsy.  Put a whimsical chair in a serious space and it changes the whole dynamic.  Here are a few of my favorites that hopefully you haven’t seen before.    

House of Windsor by Daniel DeKoven is an all time favorite.  Dramatic lines meet whimsy in wood.  This chair could slip into any room and be the center of attention.  Or perhaps in a nursery.  Although it looks like it leans in the picture it does not in person.  Another reason to enjoy Daniel’s creations?  He works with non endangered wood species…in his passive solar heated workshop. 

The Swan Chair by Arne Jacobson – The Swan joined my household a couple years ago when it was on sale in a Denver showroom.  I couldn’t leave without it.  It is waiting to find the perfect place in my home and then it will be re-upholstered.  I can’t wait!  The chair was designed by Arne for the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen back in 1958.  He created the form in his own garage (so many wonderful inventions happen in garages – I think I need one).  It was considered ahead of its time because it did not have a straight line to the body.  Since then it is a highly recognizable frame that unfortunately is knocked-off continuously.

Lex Chair by Ted Boerner because it takes a familiar shape and adds interesting details to make this a one of a kind chair.  Note how the arm continues around the back becoming part of the frame and the horizontal tuck in fabric on the front side back rest – beautiful details.  Considering its masculinity it would be gorgeous in a lounge or it could easily slip into a living room.  The chair sits wonderfully (although a bit deep for my short legs) which further makes me think this chair was designed with a man in mind. 

Crinoline chair by Patricia Urquiola.  I tore this picture out years ago and still come back to it hoping to find the perfect project to weave it into.  The chair was intended for the outdoors but could easily slide indoors.  The chair is woven from abaca and plastic fibers by artists in the Philippines. 

It’s that time of year.  The leaves are changing to bright yellows, deep oranges and chocolaty browns.  Seeing the seasons change inspires new color palettes and makes me long for nesting indoors under lush blankets and fall scented candles.  Although I love Spring cleaning to freshen the house, I also love Fall where I can re-incorporate items to make the long winter as cozy as possible.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas and items to make that transformation.

Coverlets – When the weather turns brisk, yet it’s too early to turn on the heat, adding a beautifully quilted coverlet will add just the right amount of warmth.  Look for a color to enliven your current sheets or duvet cover and you’ll get a new look. 

Textured Throw -Grab a great textured throw and add it to your living room for the cool nights ahead.  My favorite throws are the ones that look like a large crochet sweater. 

Candles – I unfortunately don’t have a fireplace so the next best thing is seeing the warm glow of candles around a room.  Placing several in clear cut glass reflects the light around the room.  My favorite scented candle is  “Holiday” from Ralph Lauren (thanks for the introduction Pat!).  It is one of the few candles that actually smell like the holidays without giving you a headache. 

Organized Entryway – Sounds simple but it’s not when you have a small space being invaded by gloves, hats, boots, umbrellas, dog leash…well you get the idea.  In the fall and winter it is imperative to have a well organized space to keep the wet mess and leaves from traveling further into your home.  Start with at mat outside the door, followed by an absorbing rug inside.  Find a functional furniture piece, like the one from Room & Board below,  that has drawers or a place to put cubbies to store all those items you want out of sight.  Make sure to have ample hooks nearby for all those coats and umbrellas.  I suggest picking up miscellaneous styles and arranging them in a creative way.  Ahhh, now you can relax!