Start the Countdown to Showhouse Showdown
2 weeks.
That’s all that’s left until the series premiere of HGTV’s new program, Showhouse Showdown.
Designer Eric Kole talks on camera about his design approach.
And as you may have read, Eric Kole was tapped to participate in this show where “two professional interior designers take over two newly built houses with mirror-image floor plans. Read more
Vastu’s 10 tips to better design: #7
#7: Location, location, location!
Most of the elements of good design are all about placement. The right thing can seem like the wrong thing when it’s not placed in the best location. Creating a new space or making major changes to an existing space always works much easier when your initial planning considers usage, location and interaction of the people and the things in the room. Think about who will use the space and how they’ll use it; think about movement throughout a space and where you want the focus of your attention to fall. A simple way to get a feel for the spatial relationship of your furnishings is two-dimensional taping or laying out newspapers. This will help you judge your real space. Remember to take into account an item’s movement, e.g. the distance that dining chairs need to slide out from the table.
Think creatively when arranging your furniture. Dining spaces don’t always have to be next to kitchens and master bedrooms don’t always have to be the largest bedroom. Set furniture away from the wall, create smaller vignettes in large rooms and create small conversation areas in creative locations to maximize your floor space. In small spaces, angling the furniture and floor coverings can dramatically open up the room. For something unexpected and fresh, place a large area rug on the diagonal under some of the legs of furniture, letting it spill into the rest of the room, or just a small round rug on the side of a bed.
#1: Simple solutions, #2: Fabric first, #3: Mixed greens, #4: Art matters, #5: Crack a window, #6: Lighten up
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“I have the old ugly olive green bath tub, toilet and sink. The counter top has a green and white swirl look, the floor has 3 different kinds of green mixed in it. There is a beige and olive green tile border around the shower and bath tub. In my opinion there are too many greens, they don’t match – the whole things looks straight out of the 70s. I will get it all redone one day, but for now do you have any suggestions? We don’t have much money to put towards the project right now, but I’m wondering if we should paint or maybe wallpaper? Thanks!”
Today’s Home Front chat…
…featured our very own Jason Claire! If you didn’t have a chance to participate in today’s Washington Post Home Front chat with Jason and Terri Sapienza, click here to see what was discussed. A special thank you to the Washington Post team for having us! Be sure to tune in to the Home Front chats every Thursday at 11am.
Painted ceilings… yay or nay?
The decision on whether or not to paint the ceiling in a room can be a tough one. The obvious question is to paint or not to paint, but then of course if you do decide to paint the question is what color? Should you go with something bold? Or just play it safe by sticking with the existing paint color? Vastu designer and co-owner Jason Claire offers his thoughts on painted ceilings.
• I’m a bit of a purist, so I tend to paint ceilings flat white in small rooms or open floor plans where there are no natural starts and stops to ceiling lines. You should use flat paint on a ceiling to hide imperfections that are easily seen when light reflects off of a ceiling. Only when your ceilings are PERFECT should they be painted in an eggshell finish or a paint with more gloss.
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“Hi. I have no idea what to do with my entry. Any thoughts?”
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“Hello Designers! I’ve purchased my first home and when I bought it my friends and I saw SO much potential in it. Problem is, we’re not really sure how to tap into my home’s potential so… I need your help. Here’s some pictures of my den. I don’t even know where to begin… What do you suggest I should do with the space that won’t cost a fortune?”
Guest post on Organize to Revitalize
Thank you to the wonderful Deb Lee for inviting us to guest post on her blog, Organize to Revitalize! Deb is a Certified Professional Organizer serving the DC metro area. Click here to learn more about Deb and her business.
Vastu’s senior designer, Sarita, offered Organize to Revitalize readers 3 things to consider when furnishing a small space. You can read the post in full here.
By the way – if you’re on Twitter, Deb is a great one to follow — @DAllisonLee
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
“Hello! So… I just bought a one bedroom condo and I’m super excited about it. I’m pretty confident about what I want to do in all the rooms except for the formal dining room. The room is pretty large, long and narrow with a chandelier mounted in the center of the room. With only one bedroom, I’d actually like the formal dining room to serve as a place to eat AND my home office. Any ideas on the type of furniture I should look for that will make the room look cohesive, but still serve two purposes? Thanks!”
Design Direction
Do you have a challenging space or need some design guidance? Design Direction is a chance for you to submit photos or videos of your design challenge(s) and a Vastu interior designer will provide you with some help. Every Wednesday we will feature one reader’s submission.
Tempe Star SW 6229
“I am about to move into a new home.. YEAH!! I have always dreamed of having my bedroom in a romantic PURPLE. Of course the entire room wouldn’t be purple but my comforter would set the tone for the room. Recently my love and I were looking and decided on 4 colors for our new home. HE decided that the walls in the bedroom can be TEMPE STAR. While I totally agree this color must go on a wall in our home, He crushed my dream of PURPLE in my bedroom or did he??? Help!! I totally need bedroom ideas for both of us to be happy.”
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