Natural Textures


This month we’re focusing on natural textures! We wanted to showcase some of our favorite natural products and spaces we’ve designed and can’t wait to show you more as we continue to photograph all the work we’ve done! Here are a few reasons we love to use natural textures in our design spaces, really, you can’t ever add enough!



Windows

Woven Wood shades are a functional way to bring a natural wood texture to your windows. They function like roman shades & can filter the light or provide full privacy. We love them because they function & the color options are quite vast! Pair them with natural linen curtain panels to give your windows a taller, softer, cozy feeling.


Accessories

We love using sisal because it’s such a great and neutral texture in a space! It adds a lot of warmth and we never have to worry about it clashing with other elements, this gives us a lot of design flexibility! Typically, we use sisal in rugs and they're perfect because they are low maintenance and great for a high traffic area, like an entryway or a hallway runner!


Wood

Another natural element we love working with is wood. It fits in any space-- transitional, modern, or contemporary... the list can go on! It is incredibly durable and long-lasting and has a ton of uses! The custom wood shelves we added to this laundry room are very durable and also adds a touch of warmth to a small space. Your laundry room does not only have to be functional, it can be beautiful too!


Lighting

We are seeing wood, sisal & even leather incorporated more & more in the new lighting trend & we are loving each new piece! Lighting makes a huge impact on each space & by adding a natural element, the room is instantly warm. Each light fixture we select for each space is a statement on it own!


By using natural elements aren’t we just trying to bring the outdoors inside? Check out some of our design inspiration with the outdoors that we love!


We hope you’ve learned a few things about the natural elements and why we love to use them! Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for all the beauty they create, just like we did!

- Paige W. Interior Design Team


What About Exterior Paint?

Choosing an exterior paint color can be an extremely difficult & daunting task without us! That’s why we are here to help you every step of the way.

Paint is affected by the lighting and surrounding colors. Even the natural elements around your home and the neighbors’ houses can change the way a color looks. When we help pick out exterior paint, we consider the surrounding architecture and styles. This allows your home to be unique but complements the neighborhood.

Exterior paint colors always seems to appear lighter on an exterior wall than an interior wall. It is always a good idea to select a color two shades darker so it will appear more vibrant in the daylight. There are so many other design elements to consider and selections you have to think about on the exterior of a home. We take into consideration the color of the: exterior lighting, shutters, posts, roof shingles, window trim, front door (paint or stain?), etc. These design elements must all work together to find the perfect color.


Front door paint selections for the house on the right.

Front door paint selections for the house on the right.


CHECK THIS OUT!

Exterior paint is one of the design elements that stands out the most. It is the first thing people notice when they arrive at your place. Trust your designer’s eye, because we know exterior paint can completely change the look of your home. We wanted to show you a few before and afters of projects we’ve done.


Before…

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AFTER…


Before…

to see more of this house click HERE

to see more of this house click HERE

AFTER…

We look forward to helping you pick out the perfect exterior paint to bring your home to life.
— Paige W. Interior Design Team

Let’s Talk About Interior Paint


As designers, it is perceived that all we do is pick paint colors. This is a MYTH. We do much more in the design process than just pick paint colors. In fact, paint is one of the last steps in the process, but it is a first to do in the construction world.



NOT SURE WHICH SHEEN TO USE?

Eggshell

Eggshell paint is a gloss that looks and feels somewhat flat, but it has a slight gloss to it. Eggshell is easier to maintain because it has a slight gloss. It is great to use in finished basements, offices, hallways, and bedrooms. Avoid using eggshell paint on ceilings and trim.

Flat

Flat paint has a matte look and can be used to hide any wall imperfections. It is reflective, which means it will soak up light that is directed at it. Flat paint tends to be easier to apply and less expensive than other paints. It is the least durable and doesn’t handle scrubbing and should not be used in high traffic areas such as kitchens, bedrooms, or bathrooms. Flat paint should be used in low traffic rooms that have a lot of light like formal dining rooms, and offices.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-Gloss paint is similar to satin finish paint. However, it has more of a sheen than a satin finish paint. Light will bounce off of the paint more easily than a satin or eggshelf paint. Semi-Glass paint should be used in rooms where stains end up on the walls like the bathroom or kitchen. It can be scrubbed and cleaned so it can be used in children’s rooms too.



Paint Samples? We Got You!

Lots of times, as a homeowner you want to see how the paint is going to look on the wall before it’s applied. Don’t worry! We got you! We have a ton of paint samples and to make it even better they are HUGE! You’ll get a great idea of exactly what it’s going to look like.



WE LOVE COLOR

“Remember” our color of the month!? We had a whole year of color! Click the pictures to see some highlights about colors.


We can’t wait to help you find the perfect paint color! Don’t forget to check us out on our Instagram page to learn more about paint colors.

- Paige

She shines bright in her business and her life. She lives in color, with passion
— Ellevated Outcomes

How to Style a Bed


We often get asked about how we, as designers, style beds. And although each room is different and custom to your home, there are some general rules of thumb. We’re paying attention to pillow height, scale, functionality, and quality of the materials and fabrics we choose. Finishing out a bedroom by making custom pillows and even custom blankets, is something we love to do (especially when we get to pair it with a custom headboard)! It makes a big impact with minimal commitment. Remember, we do have four seasons and each season calls for new bedding. Exciting, right!?


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Foundation

Quality

Starting with a good foundation is important! We spend a third of our lives in bed, so selecting good quality bedding is a must. It’s a simple solution to making life a little more luxurious, so we recommend spending on quality sheets and pillows because this is an investment in daily living.

Color

A good base color would tend to be a neutral and you can never go wrong with a classic white. However, we’re seeing lots of fun natural muted colors, like oranges, greens and lots of dusty pinks. Don’t be afraid of color, but make sure it compliments the rest of your bedroom!


Layer Up

Layering up is what’s going to make a bed look the most cozy and inviting. And it allows for different temperatures through early mornings and late nights. Duvets are great for adding fluff and texture. In the winter, you can sleep under the duvet and add a quilt at the end of the bed for extra warmth. During the summer, you can move the duvet to the end of the bed and sleep with a lighter quilt.

A quick bed making trick: fold your duvet in half and then pull the top part back into thirds so you can show off your pillows and if you have pretty sheets, fold the duvet in thirds and get a peek at those sheets! A messy bed will still look good with the right elements!


Pillow Talk

Contrary to popular belief, you can, in fact, have too many pillows. A good rule of thumb is a couple of Euro shams (three for a kind sized bed), two standard shams or pillows, and a decorative pillow.. When too many pillows are added to a bed it takes away the functionality and tends to look silly and uninviting. When mixing patterns, find a unifying element. This can be accent colors in both pillows.


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Top it off!

The finishing touches is what’s going to set apart a well designed space. An accent throw at the end of the bed (or draped over the edge) or even a piece of furniture at the foot of the bed, can tie in the colors to a room. This is a great time to play with a little texture, as well.

Remember to tidy up your side tables and style books, add a big lamp or maybe a sconce, and lean a few photos to finish out the space. It makes a big difference!


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The Yellow Bedroom

When designing this master bedroom, we started off with one of our favorite wallpapers. From there we selected an accent color of yellow—blue and began designing. We wanted a pop of color somewhere in the room and found this velvet yellow stool that we adored. It really ties the room together.

See how we mixed colors, fabrics and textures for the pillows? We think it turned out really well and our clients were beyond happy. Exactly how we want to finish out every project—to the very last details.

With four seasons in a year, that’s four completely different looks we can have! Start dreaming!
— Paige W. Interior Design Team

Have you voted in the 2021 Sizzle Awards yet!? If you haven’t, we’d love for you to show us some love!


Our Thoughts on Pillows


Hiring a designer means each space will have both intention and functionality. With this month’s accent, we wanted to give you some of our thoughts on how we use pillows and why we select the ones we do. Pillows serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose and our job is to find that middle ground. We like to use pillows to tie in the colors and feel of the rest of the space to finish out the entirety of the project. These are a few categories to keep in mind when selecting pillows!


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Size Matters

Nothings worse than having a bunch of small pillows. For one, they’re uncomfortable to lounge with and tend to just be thrown on the floor, unused and unneeded. Secondly, it can make the scale of a couch, seat, or wherever you have these pillows look smaller and less intentional.

We have sleeping pillows and we have decorative pillows. Sleeping pillows are typically 20” tall and then become wider, as the bed becomes wider.

Decorative pillows come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and when working with an interior designer, we have some creativity here to figure out what works best for the space. Some popular pillows are Euro Pillows, Boudoir Pillows, and Lumbar Pillows.


Fill Matters

When shopping for throw pillows, consider the fill and how it will affect the appearance. A feather-and-down fill, for example, has more "give" and a softer squish. Foam and other synthetic fills are stiffer and generally more affordable. These pillows will hold their shape better but don't look as luxurious.

Feather

Feather pillows come from the wing and back feathers of the bird, the ‘top’. Whereas down is the underside of the bird. Feathered pillows are heavier, which gives the pillow more structure. These hold shape well and are a great option for a less expensive down pillow.

Down

Down pillows are the softest pillow, they have less structure and more ‘fluff’. They have the longest lifespan of most of the fills and are comfortable.

Polyester

Polyester pillows are good in that they are affordable. However, they have a short lifespan and don’t have the best feel to them. As they’re made from chemicals they tend to clump over time as the filling clumps and the pillow becomes lumpy. Not giving you a promising lifespan for your price.

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Texture Matters

Textures are important in design, it creates depth, luxury or just a little fun! And it’s totally okay to mix textures, finding the right juxtaposition of smooth and rough, soft and fuzzy. Even a splash of something exciting like a faux fur, velvet, or a tassled accent can finish off a space. Keeping your color and pattern theme in play, you can get creative with touch and feel.

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Here are some of our favorite pillow selections, if you want to shop around!


We hope you learned something that you can use when searching for your next pillow purchase!
— Paige W. Interior Design Team