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

The kitchen is a gathering space.  Along with the friends and family who often congregate here, the kitchen is home to a million types of utensils, appliances, pots, pans, junk drawers, and much more.  The amount of “stuff” we accumulate in our kitchens can be overwhelming.  There are never enough nooks, crannies, cupboards, drawers, or shelves to put everything away.  Instead of trying to hide the things that make your kitchen a kitchen, consider a different way to store or display them.  They just might blend right in when given the right home in plain sight.

This is a beautifully simple kitchen.  Everyday items become the visual focal point from countertop to ceiling on butcher block shelves.

 I love the vintage table used as an island, open display of kitchen knives, and unique wall pattern that contrasts the plain white cabinets.

Try putting your coffee grounds, sugar, flour, and other household staples in glass jars instead of hiding them in cupboards.  The different colors and textures provide visual interest.

If you don’t have space on a shelf for your spices, try using the bottom side – buy matching jam jars with metal lids that you can tack to the underside of a shelf.

Warm up stainless steel with a few accents that bring your personality into the kitchen.

Pick two styles of containers/baskets that have different textures to organize open shelves.

Layer objects of varying size and scale.  Stack shelves of different lengths and widths to give a wall depth.

The perfect spot for every utensil.

Combine shelving and basic wall-hanging elements to create your own storage unit.

Now lets switch gears and put all of these pieces together.  Below are a selection of beautiful kitchens that caught my eye. Enjoy!!

January is the month of resolutions and slogans like “A new year, a new you”.  Slogans that we tend to forget about by the time month two of the New Year actually rolls around.  In the past, my personal resolutions have been a lofty statement filled with vague ideas and good intentions, but no direction on how to get there.  So this year I decided to try making my resolutions on a smaller, more intimate scale.  For example, instead of saying that I am going to get organized, I focused on what I could do in my life to make that happen, and for me that meant finding simplicity – in my home, at work, and in my relationships. To me, simplicity means decluttering your life of the things that hold no personal value to you, get in the way of what really matters, and stop you from expressing who you genuinely are.  Try taking a fifteen minute inventory of all aspects of your life and what is most important to you in those areas.  Now come up with five improvements that if made would create positive, progressive changes in your life.

This week we are focusing on the home office space.  To be happy and productive at your desk, the environment it sits in needs to reflect who you are and how you like to work.  The goal is to strike a balance between form, function, comfort, and style.  You will notice how different all of these office spaces are – some feature very clean lines and little color, while others are highly stimulating with bold patterns and a plethora of eye candy.  Focus on what speaks to you and gets your creative juices flowing!

Tip 1: Have ample lighting and preferably some natural light in your work space.

Tip 2: Organize and declutter!  Find a system for storing your stuff that works for you – it can be baskets, bins, drawers, jars, shelves, etc.  Get creative, it should be a reflection of how you function.

Tip 3: Make use of the space you have.  An office doesn’t require a room to itself.  It can be integrated seamlessly into your home, creatively disguised behind a curtain, or tucked neatly into the confines of a closet.

Cheers!

-Collette

So come on in and curl up by the fire!  There is something so cozy and comforting about the flickering flames of a fireplace on a chilly evening.  Adding a fireplace to a room can completely change the feel of your living space.  It adds a warmth both visually and physically that neither lights nor candles can compare to.  Like the kitchen island, it becomes a place that friends and family gather around.  They are a beautiful addition to a living room, bed room, or den/office/library.  Here are some of our favorites in honor of this age old invention…

A traditional fireplace that exudes classic elegance with a soft monochromatic palette.

Love the combination of wood and metal.  The sleek modern design is beautifully contrasted by the rustic storage of firewood.

The above two fireplaces are by Focus.  They are more industrial and far less traditional, but present some interesting ideas on how to incorporate a fireplace into a small space.

An antique fireplace by Mary Jeanne Kneen makes a stunning statement when paired with this painting.

Natural and modern, the rich wood finish and asymmetrical shelf provide visual interest to a soft background color.

I have an obsession with this style of fireplace.  They are typically found in old homes or brownstones in the NYC area.  I dream of one of these some day because the way the fire lights the patterns on the metal face is something that can’t be reproduced.

December has arrived and with it comes the Holidays.   It doesn’t matter what you celebrate or how big or small your budget, bringing the holidays into your home feels good this time of year.  In many families a Christmas tree has become an important part of holiday tradition.  This year we worked hard to find some less traditional options that take on a variety of shapes and forms.  We also scoured the web to bring you the most stunning and creative holiday decor that is fit to adorn your foyer, table, mantle, or wherever you deem worthy.  Begin a new holiday tradition with your family and design something together!  Cheers!

Vintage wood slats offer color and texture while heart appliques give it a personal touch.  A great idea for small spaces and people who love DIY projects.

I absolutely love this idea!  It is an excellent space saver or just a fun twist on your mundane book cases.

An old school shiny tinsel tree adds a touch of glamour to a simple room.  Try this is silver, white, or a bright hue like fuschia for a pop of color.  Wrap your packages in a shade of that color and dress with a contrasting ribbon to complete the look.

A playful take on a tree and a great idea if you don’t have a chandelier over your table.  All you need is a branch, ornaments, and fishing line.

Gather friends at your holiday party and ask them to each write down something they are thankful for and find a place for it on your “paper tree”.

Go natural with fruits and berries that have a rich color and interesting texture.

Give leftover ornaments, candies, or accessories a home!  Fill a glass vase with the colorful baubles.  It makes a beautiful table center piece.

Put your old cupcake tower to good use.  Combine household accents with a few holiday accessories for a festive homemade display.

Make a statement by grouping together candle holders and vases.  Try varying heights to give your display visual interest.  Add an organic element such as faux berry branches for contrast.

Embrace simplicity.  These tables are elegant because they aren’t overdone.

Entice your senses by incorporating potpourri, cinnamon sticks, or scented candles.

Select a color palette and use it for your indoor and outdoor decorations.

Construct your own wall focal point that can be saved for next year.

Who said stockings have to be hung from a mantle?  Utilize the surfaces you have efficiently and creatively.  This piano is a perfect example!

Try combining fresh greens, votive candles, a colorful fruit, and simple ornaments to create your table runner.  Add height with vases, candelabras, or family heirlooms.

Soften a whimsical wintery white palette with cozy fabrics and interesting textures.

Design your own Menorah with family or invest in one that expresses your style.

Work to build a “theme” for your holiday decor.  Select mantle decorations that can easily be mimicked on your table.

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!

The Kent Village project in the process of demolition.  Most walls have been removed but the old electrical and plumbing remain.  The pile carpet has been torn out to reveal old parquet floors. 

Looking from the living room into the guest & master bathrooms. 

Standing in the entry hall (behind the fireplace) looking into baths.

This may be one of my favorite pictures.  I love that the chandelier is still hanging in the guest bath/powder.  You can also see the old plumbing for the shower on the left.  Look how LOW that shower head is. 

Looking down the hall into the master bath and bedroom.

Looking from the fireplace and front door back at the dining room and kitchen. 

And a bit closer…Notice the framed stairwell.  That will be gone soon but it was discovered to be a load bearing wall.  So, for now, it stays until our metal beam is ready.  The wall to the left of the stair will be that great functioning wall of cabinetry.  Next up?  Selecting materials!

We all love before and afters so I wanted to start chronicling my projects.  This first one is a gut renovation of a ranch style home in Denver, Colorado.  The square footage is right around 2,000 on the main floor; basement is not included in the reno.  My client had purchased the house a while back and then rented it until they were ready to fix it up for themselves.  So on May 1st we began demolition by removing most of the walls in the public spaces.  Here are the photos that we took minutes before demo.

Kitchen with door to patio.  The door will eventually become a window.

Eat-in kitchen area.  To the left is an exterior door, stairs and garage access.  This corner will become part of the expanded kitchen.

Dining room from kitchen door way and looking into the living room.  The French doors lead to the patio.  All interior walls will be removed to open up the space.

Living room looking out to the patio.  Fireplace and the “wing walls” on both sides will be removed and the fireplace updated to a modern design.  No more brass here!

Guest bath/powder from doorway.  The shower is to the left through the dark doorway.  Layout will remain fairly similar; just a dramatic face lift.

Master bath layout will change however the vanities will remain on the same wall.  There is currently a large tub (see below) opposite the vanities.  The tub will be removed and a large walk-in shower will be on the far left of the vanities.  The toilet will be enclosed in it’s own room in the current tub location.

The den, which is off the living room, will remain the same foot print.  The bar and wood paneling will be removed and the entry way will expand from 3 feet to 9 feet so access can be gained through the living room not just the hallway.

The entry hall by the kitchen.  The left wall will be removed to expose the stairwell going to the basement.  The right wall will be pushed out into the garage and house a wall of cabinetry to include a desk area, coat closet, pantry and a bar.  Goodbye long, dark hallway.

Because we are now in June, I will post some of the construction photos next week untill we get up to speed.  Till then…happy remodeling!

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.” 

On May 14, 2010 Paradigm Interior Design and Nest Architectural Design were awarded first place for Primary Residence Under 3,500 SF by ASID.

Natural light floods this ranch style home located in Denver’s historic Bonnie Brae neighborhood.  The soft, neutral palette provide the perfect backdrop to the client’s extensive art collection while providing a relaxing atmosphere.

Paradigm assisted the client with paint selection, granite and tile selection, draperies, art and furniture placement and decorative lighting fixtures throughout the home. 

All pictures will be posted to the Paradigm’s ”Work” tab soon but here are some of the highlights.