NOT SURE WHERE TO START? THAT’S WHAT WE’RE HERE FOR.
Why
MARGARITA BRAVO
Margarita Bravo Interior Design
margaritabravo.com @margaritabravo
Margarita Bravo is the founder and chief creative officer of Margarita Bravo Interior Design. Her approach to interior design and project execution lies at the intersection of her clients’ ambitions and her own creativity. With a personal touch, she chooses everlasting finishes that reflect her clients’ personalities, resulting in the ultimate customer experience.
SARAH ST. AMAND
Sarah St. Amand Interior Design
Award-winning designer Sarah St. Amand is the founder and principal designer for Sarah St. Amand Interior Design Inc. This multifaceted firm is known for curating tailored and livable luxury interiors in the greater Toronto area and throughout North America.
stamanddesign.com
@sarahst.amandinteriordesign
DIANA ROSE
Diana Rose Design
dianarose.design @dianarosedesign
For Diana Balanyuk, head designer of Diana Rose Design, enhancing home interiors is a journey of self-discovery, expression, and storytelling. Her love of traveling, architecture, culture, and color led her to interior design. Alongside her husband, Diana established Diana Rose Design, which is known for luxurious interior designs that have an approachable, signature style that blends modern and transitional aesthetics.
AMANDA SHIELDS
Amanda Shields Interiors
Amanda Shields is the creative director and principal designer for Amanda Shields Interiors. Her design firm is known for creating stylish and approachable family-focused interiors.
amandashieldsinteriors.com @amandashieldsinteriors
“Take your time in making your home your haven. Your soul deserves it.”
—Anonymous
Blooming season is a magical time of year when the sun warms the earth and everything blossoms in vibrant colors. The days are long, and the nights are balmy and filled with starlight. The smells of freshly cut grass and salty ocean breezes infuse the air, along with the sounds of distant laughter and music. Days are filled with lazy afternoons spent by the pool or at the beach and evenings stargazing with your closest friends and family. Perhaps we are most at peace with ourselves in the warmer seasons when we spend time outside, reaping the benefits of fresh air and sunlight. In this issue of Beautiful Design Made Simple, we’re diving into everything health and wellness and what it means to practice healthy living at home.
With an overarching theme of “Sweet Serenity,” we explore the many ways our surroundings impact our state of well-being and show how the interior design of our homes can do more than just please the eye. This issue showcases tips and tricks for incorporating functional design and cozy comfort into your lifestyle so you can achieve healthy living in your home all year round. Plus, discover the best ways to stay organized and refresh your closet space to make the most of your summer wardrobe.
Get exclusive advice from top designers in the industry, like Diana Rose, as she explains how a monochromatic color palette is often the perfect choice to create a soothing, unified atmosphere. And, of course, don’t miss out on this season’s flooring trends with features on natural-toned floors and personalizing your home with patterned flooring. Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Beautiful Design Made Simple by Carpet One Floor & Home.
Warm regards,
1. One Kings Lane Broche Chandelier
2. Lands’ End Herringbone Throw Blanket
3. Benjamin Moore Firenze AF-225
4. Emser Newberry Glazed Tile
5. Crate and Barrel Laundered Linen Throw Pillow
6. West Elm Brynn Table Lamp
7. Sterling Harper Terracotta Vase
8. Arhaus Amalfi Curved Cabinet
9. Dark Hickory Hand-scraped Hardwood by Carpet One Floor & Home
INSPIRED BY.
Sweet serenity embodies what it means to be calm and untroubled, but it doesn’t belong only to Tibetan monks and yoga instructors. With the fresh summer air around us, now is the perfect time to be at total peace. Whether serenity means practicing meditation in the company of nature or simply living in a clean, uncluttered home, it’s important to find ways to experience serenity daily. Embrace what it takes to practice peace in your life and start your path toward serenity.
WHITESATIN2067-70
ORGANDY1248
SILVERLINING2119-60
COUNTRYCOMFORT305
SIENNACLAY104
Shopping for new floors doesn’t have to mean multiple trips to the store. Browse our wide selection from the comfort of your home, pick your six favorite options, and we’ll send samples right to your mailbox. Once you choose the floor you love, we’ll work with you how, when, and where you want for a convenient, easy, and fun flooring experience.
FIND
Spring cleaning might not be your favorite task, but we’re here to help make your life easier so you can organize beautifully and efficiently. If you live in a big city, you know that closet space is hard to come by—and even harder to keep organized! Even without small square footage to contend with, storage space is precious and often overlooked when it comes to big design plans.
Get organized with us this season by refreshing your closet with these five smart tips. Create the closet space of your dreams when you stick to the five Cs: Clean, Conserve, Configure, Categorize, and Customize!
Design by MICHELLE BERWICK Photography by LARRY ARNALA good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn or used it in a year, then it goes! Many thrift stores and consignment shops make it easy to donate clothes and used items, plus you often get store credit!
What better way to refresh your closet space than with a clean slate? Begin by cleaning out your closet and getting rid of everything you don’t need. We know it can be hard to let go of things, and often half the battle is reducing the clutter.
When going through clothing, ask yourself these questions:
• Does it fit?
• Do I actually wear it?
• Do I love it?
• Is it useful?
• Do I have similar items that I use more often?
The second step in the process is to conserve. Use storage for lesser-worn items to conserve space for the things you use most. Think formal wear and out-of-season clothes. You can easily tuck these things away by using shelves at the top of your closet or even bins to store seasonal clothes like holiday sweaters and Halloween costumes.
Once you’ve minimized what to store in your closet, consider your closet configuration. Think about it: you want this space to fit your unique needs. This may well be the first place you stumble into in the morning before you get that caffeine kick and the last place you’ll be in the evening before collapsing into bed.
Consequently, you need your closet to be configured functionally. Ask yourself questions like:
● What do I want to be front and center?
● What do I need easy access to?
● What are my go-to wardrobe items?
Once you’ve cleaned out your closet and limited your space to the staple items, it’s time to categorize. Group your items by category: shoes, shirts, pants, skirts, etc. Create zones with dividers, shelving, and drawers to distinguish between categories. If you’d like to take your organization to the next level, color coordinate with baskets, bins, cubbies, or hangers.
And finally, customize, customize, customize! Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra dough to make your closet space functional for your lifestyle. Maybe this looks like installing custom drawers and hidden shelving, or maybe it’s adding an extra shoe rack to satisfy your sneaker addiction.
If you have more space, or even the luxury of a walk-in closet, consider investing in a complete overhaul closet renovation. Start with new flooring. Closets are the perfect place to go bigger and bolder with fun floor patterns and designs that you haven’t tried before. Maybe this means investing a little extra in a custom-designed mosaic tile or installing a unique herringbone wood-look throughout the space. Whatever the case may be, complete your makeover with paint, refurbished furniture, custom lighting, cabinets, and shelves.
Although these tips are geared toward your bedroom closet, don’t be afraid to spread the love to your other home storage areas too. Use the five Cs to organize your pantry, mudroom cabinets, or linen closet. Life might get messy, but your closets don’t have to be!
Make the most of your wall space by adding hooks or shelves.
While you might think of hygge as a winter design trend, given its Scandinavian roots, it’s so much more! Hygge isn’t just about design: it’s a lifestyle. Centered on creating coziness that encourages feelings of contentment and wellbeing, this way of life is perfect for achieving healthy living in your home all year round!
Look to our six hygge-inspired spaces to gather inspiration for your home this season.
Creating space for conversation is essential to the hygge lifestyle. Whether you spend most of your time in the living room or the kitchen, design a place that encourages conversational flow, either by using grounding elements like a coffee table or more permanent fixtures like a built-in breakfast nook. Arrange seating in a circle so everyone can see each other, make eye contact, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
It’s no secret that the way we eat influences our health. Intentional eating is a hygge practice that includes cooking with fresh produce and clean ingredients to enhance well-being. Make your kitchen a space where you want to spend time cooking by incorporating custom designs like a beautifully detailed built-in oven hood with a pot filler or a kitchen island with a double sink to make washing dishes and chatting with your family easier.
Make space for personal hobbies and cozy activities with nooks catered to your habits. Perhaps this means installing a book nook in the kitchen where you can journal in the morning while waiting for your coffee to brew or turning the closet under the stairs into a little paint studio. Transform your passion into pleasure this year and finish that studio in the basement or buy the foosball table you’ve had your eye on.
While much of the hygge lifestyle encourages spending quality time with others, it’s just as important to strike a balance between socializing and time alone. Don’t forget to make space to focus on self-care, whether it be with an infrared sauna in the master bath, a deep soaking tub ensuite off the bedroom, or a plant corner in the kitchen.
Hygge is all about creating the ambiance that works for you. Layer through sound, lighting, and materials to form custom spaces that are unique to your needs. Sink into soft blankets and throws in the living room or add an area rug under your bed and soft lighting near your nightstand.
You know what they say. . . never underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. Studies show that adults should get seven or more hours of sleep every night—that means a lot of time spent in your bedroom! One way to ensure you’re well rested is to make your bedroom a space of comfort. Unwind by investing in a quality mattress, good pillows, and soft carpet or area rugs.
Design by MARGARITA BRAVO
Photography by TAHVORY BUNTING
What were the needs of your clients and how did you consider them when designing this space?
A
The family needed to make this a functional home because they have three kids and a dog. We wanted to accomplish their desired aesthetic, which was more of a farmhouse style, while at the same time taking advantage of elements and architectural features of the home that could be reused and repurposed.
There’s a lot of beautiful artwork, vintage fixtures, and handcrafted pieces throughout the home. Is there a story behind this and how did it inspire the spaces you created?
A A A
Many of these elements were brought from the clients’ West Coast home, and our job was to add home décor and a few furniture pieces to make the spaces look finished and reflect their personalities at the same time.
Q Q
What are some things to keep in mind when designing an inviting, yet functional, entryway?
We wanted to open up the space as much as possible and create focal points with the use of light fixtures, interesting railings for the stairs, home décor accessories, and art. Make sure that you are adding elements that will work for the client’s lifestyle, like entry consoles and closets for coats, purses, and hats.
What was the inspiration behind the color palette of warm neutrals and dark finishes throughout the house?
The inspiration was a farmhouse with aging elements and creating that contrast with bright walls and darker elements.
Q A
What made you choose these gorgeous golden-toned wood floors that are installed throughout the house?
We kept the existing hardwood floor that had a medium to dark traditional stain. We all agreed that the floors were in good shape, keeping in mind that we wanted to reuse as many existing elements as possible.
Q A
Talk to us a little bit about the idea of playing with texture and shapes in the living room.
Originally the room had a lackluster fireplace, and we wanted to add dimension by bumping the fireplace out with framing and drywall from floor to ceiling. We tiled around with white brick and built a mantle on-site. For this client, this formal living room functioned better as a formal living and dining room, so by adding the halfspear pendants to the dining area we created the definition between the two spaces.
Q A
The bathroom is stunning from the natural slate tile floors to the black metal finish details. Talk us through your process of designing a spa-like bathroom.
In my mind, a master bathroom always needs to have that spa-like feeling, so with the dark tile, we reflected the edgy personality that our clients have in the sense of a modern-looking bathroom, but at the same time having those organic-looking tiles. We evoked the spa-like feeling with the oversized shower that has two shower heads that function independently and also the freestanding tub with the wood elements that bring organic warmth into the space.
QWe love the way you play with natural light and different kinds of lighting in the home, especially in the open-concept kitchen and living room. What are your top tips when it comes to selecting lighting for your design?
AFor me, lighting is the cherry on top, the final touch that elevates the space. Sometimes lighting gets neglected when I think it should be the other way around—take the time to find the focal piece on the horizontal plane. That doesn’t mean it has to be the more expensive piece, but it has to be a well-thought-out and intentional piece.
Q A
This home renovation features a lot of natural wood finishes from the dining room chairs to custom shelving and a built-in oven hood in the kitchen. How do you strike a balance between different wood finishes to tie a place together?
It’s important to have wood finishes but also have other neutrals throughout so you are not overwhelming the space with wood. The balance between woods, metals, stones, and tiles and how you find that perfect balance to create a well-rounded space—that is unique. So, using wood the right way elevates the space and brings that warmth and organic feeling into the home.
Explore three serene interior design styles this season with the latest edition of Styles We Love, influenced by tranquility and the natural world. From Calming Neutrals to Organic Shapes to Upcycled, these three trends pair the balmy, sun-drenched months with healthy living.
In a world full of chaos, your home should be a sanctuary where you can sit back and relax. Incorporating calming neutrals into your design scheme ensures you’re surrounded by serenity no matter what’s happening outside. Transform your space using calming neutrals with blush pink and beige furniture, earth-toned flooring, and complementary accents.
Organic shapes are often used in interior design to create a calming, relaxed atmosphere. This technique softens sharp edges and creates a more natural feel. Whether you incorporate organic shapes in furniture, lighting, rugs, or artwork, these shapes can establish unique focal points and eye-catching elements that are sure to impress.
Upcycled interior design is a style that utilizes discarded, reused, and natural materials to create a more sustainable living space. Upcycled design can create a modern and contemporary look or a rustic and industrial feel. Pair natural materials like cotton or linen in neutral hues with vibrant pops of color from plants to bring an earthy, eco-friendly look to your interiors.
Warmer weather is around the corner, along with springtime breezes and the desire to create an inviting, personal sanctuary. Whether you’re spicing up a spa area, putting the “ohm” in your home office, or defining your dressing area, you’ll need a firm foundation for those daily fundamentals. The natural world provides ongoing inspiration, returning us to our origins, and inviting us to revisit personal journeys and rituals. Past becomes present with new, clean takes on herringbone patterns and lush parquets.
Setting the tone for your space starts from the ground up. Adding a patterned floor sets your space in instant motion and creates a focal point that encourages everyday rituals while making your personality pop! Whether you’re seeking a serene sanctuary or a place to renew your energy, these unique, patterned flooring options—inspired by Mother Nature herself— are sure to stir up fun, springtime adventures, and serious self-love!
Nothing adds organic texture quite like genuine hardwood flooring. While there are many fine wood-look floors on the modern market, installing a solid or engineered hardwood floor means embracing your foundation exactly as nature intended, right down to every knot and swerve.
The 2023 spring season celebrates the forest’s bounty with oldfashioned wide planks, spiraled parquets, and clean tones of whitewashes, deep walnuts, and honeyed creams. The addition of intricate wire-brushing creates a sense of calm that’s perfectly imperfect in its contrasting patterns, revealing a floor that has weathered life’s storms. Matte finishes give a wind-swept appearance to artisan-aged hickories and oaks: the next best thing to a solitary walk in an ancient forest.
Parquet wood looks are especially coveted this year, as we gaze fondly into the past. These retro-inspired looks heighten the senses with multiple patterns in soothing organic tones like honeys, washed whites, and simmering creams. It’s a classical choice that’s always fresh and reviving, with a designer’s cutting edge. Don’t be afraid to mix multiple patterns together for a vision as brisk and refreshing as an afternoon under the pines!
Need something sturdy and reliable that doesn’t hold back when it comes to expressing your personality? Modern vinyl flooring certainly won’t disappoint. Today’s vinyl flooring, both plank and tile, is designed to fool the eye, capturing your favorite natural textures and patterns on a shoestring.
Got a hankering for haute herringbone that’s heavy on character? Herringbone is seriously trending right now, and it’s easy to achieve this coveted look using vinyl plank and vinyl tile. In fact, there are tons of vinyl flooring options made to perfectly impersonate many of the trends mentioned here.
Look for oversized vinyl planks that replicate the appearance of burnished barn boards or streamlined vinyl tiles with worn-in features that look and feel as comfortable as your favorite yoga pants. Consider timeless neutrals and burnished organic tones like copper, steel, and butternut.
GRAY-WASHED
HERRINGBONE
WOOD-LOOK
LUXURY VINYL BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
WHITE OAK-LOOK
LUXURY VINYL BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
EMBOSSED WOOD-LOOK
HERRINGBONE
LUXURY VINYL BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Tile is a a surefire way to create a floor that’s one-of-a-kind. If you’ve ever been called “quirky” or “eccentric,” tile is a no-brainer. Available in thousands of products, tile represents endless possibilities.
Do you get caught up in the richly-veined textures of organic marble? Or perhaps artisan-glazed patterns in nature’s bountiful palette call to you— like lush Spanish moss, oceanic indigos, and sunbaked clays? Greek and Moroccan patterns satisfy our inner wanderlust and inspire our desire to roam. Can’t decide? Mix and match your favorite styles for a look that your soul desires.
WATERPROOF BEIGE PATTERN CARPET BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Textured carpet is a great addition to rooms where you’re often barefoot, perfecting your yoga postures, snuggling with your favorite furry friend, or typing away at your laptop. Eco-inspired patterns and natural fibers like wool bring us closer to organic comfort and creative musings. Circles, waves, and spirals call us back to the seashore, while rich leaves and blossoms allow our intentions to flourish.
Get inspired by the inviting hues of zesty lime, simmering goldenrod, or warm coral: colors to set your soul ablaze. Geometric weaves add hints of flora and fauna to further enhance your home and bring you closer to your native elements.
WATERPROOF
BLUE PATTERN CARPET BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
WHITE PATTERN
TEXTURED
BOUND CARPET BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
GREEN PATTERN
TEXTURED
BOUND CARPET BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Not ready to commit to a brandnew floor? We totally get it! Don’t worry, the addition of a colorful (and comforting!) area rug could be the perfect compromise that won’t feel like you’re compromising. Today there are organically inspired area rugs to fit every mood.
Are you motivated to make those long-awaited changes yet? While trends can certainly be fleeting, it’s important to remember that true selfexpression never goes out of style. Ultimately, it’s up to YOU to decide which colors, textures, and patterns evoke an everyday sense of well-being. After all, why blend in when you were born to stand out?
TERRA COTTA PATTERNED BOUND CARPET
BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Bringing natural, light tones and earthy textures into your home is a great way to lighten up your space. There are many options for introducing these elements into your home. However, floors are your home’s foundation, and we believe it is best to start there when applying natural tones to your space. When you search for new flooring, you may notice that most available options are in natural, neutral hues. There is a good reason for this! Natural-colored floors never go out of style and are a fantastic way to accent the features of your home.
There are many advantages to natural-toned floors. Not only does lighter-colored flooring match most design aesthetics, but it also positions your design and decor as the focal point of your space. Naturaltoned floors also help open up your space with an atmosphere of airiness and natural light. Whether your preferred interior design style is contemporary, modern, rustic, or traditional, we guarantee that there is a natural-toned flooring option for you.
Learn more about how you can incorporate stone tile, hardwood, and carpet into your home to design a space that is beaming with natural tones.
Hardwood flooring is a classic and sophisticated look that can increase the value of any home. It has been popular for centuries because of its durability and ability to be refinished. The best thing about hardwood is that it displays organic appeal through its whirls and grains. When you’re looking for a natural-toned hardwood floor, you can’t go wrong with oak floors. Oak is one of the most popular and trendy types of hardwood flooring on the market today, and it offers versatility that others might not.
No matter what color of natural-toned floors you are looking for—whites, beiges, grays, and more—there is an oak flooring type for you! Oak hardwood is known for warm colors that create an instant sense of coziness. While white oak floors are a popular flooring trend, oak comes in a variety of other naturally beautiful colors as well. It is also easily customized and can be refinished later down the road if you decide to change the color!
White oak is a natural wood material known for its coarse, smooth grain that offers a more subtle appearance than some other types of hardwood. White oak has a natural golden tone to it, which brings out some of its honey hues. If you are in the market for an upscale look that still offers a casual feel no matter how you decorate your space, then natural oak wood floors are for you!
Stone tile flooring is as beautiful as it is unique. Natural stone tiles bring the great outdoors inside and allow you to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces. They come in various styles, colors, and sizes and can add beauty to any room. Because of their durability, they’ll be in your home for many years to come.
Natural stone tile comes in several colors, but you can find many styles in natural hues. This type of tile also offers a more natural look than other options. While most tiles have a smooth finish, stone tiles are naturally porous and typically have beautiful patterns that come from the original stone the tile was cut from.
Neutral-toned carpets are a staple in many homes. They often make a room feel larger and more open than it is, and they bring an added level of warmth and coziness to your space. Carpets are well-known for being comfortable underfoot. Beige, light brown, white, and even gray carpets easily match most furniture and decor colors. These neutral tones can easily complement your home!
Current carpet trends focus on earthy hues, including beiges and warm grays. You might think a natural-toned carpet is boring, but it does not have to be! Give your neutral-colored carpet some style with furniture and accenting decorations. You can also opt for a textured carpet to add some character and dimension to your space.
Carpet comes in diverse textures that can bring a natural feel to your home. Whether you are looking for a luxurious and plush carpet or one that is handwoven, you’re sure to find them in neutral colors. Choose from carpets with varying pile heights to find your desired level. As a bonus, you can often find carpets that are kid- and petfriendly, which is ideal for families and pet owners!
GRAY TEXTURED PATTERN CARPET BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Transform
With so many flooring types out there, it can be hard to choose the right look. Often, this can feel downright overwhelming. Well, we’re here to say that you can’t go wrong with all-natural floors! All-natural flooring provides you with endless style opportunities and products to choose from, including solid hardwood, porcelain tile, wool carpet, natural stone, and many others.
Take our quiz to find out which all-natural flooring vibe fits your ideal design style!
• Enjoy sleek, clean lines.
• Love plants and other natural elements that add greenery and life to your decor.
• Want to have a minimalist approach that is clutter-free.
• Prefer a neutral color palette instead of bright and bold colors.
• A plush white pet proof carpet can add a touch of softness and coziness to your room.
• A light beige luxury vinyl floor is durable enough to handle the challenges of your active lifestyle, complete with kid and pet protection.
PLUSH
• Like mixing traditional and contemporary furnishings to create a unique interior.
• Enjoy pops of color, like black and gold, because they add depth and dimension.
• Embrace a timeless aesthetic focusing on natural light and warm and cozy details.
• Love the look of natural materials and textiles.
• A wood-look floor with neutral colors and familiar designs—such as solid hardwood or tile—to let small, bold accents stand out in your space.
• Want a comfortable, relaxed style with sophisticated modern touches, such as a neutral color scheme and sleek accents.
• Love adding unique elements to your space, including reclaimed wood, industrial-style lighting fixtures, and wrought iron accents.
• Prefer the look of wood and leather furniture.
• Look to incorporate vintage accessories and decor into your space.
• A rustic wood-look vinyl plank that matches other wood furnishings in your space.
• A light-colored carpet or area rug to help bring the space together.
• Like eclectic geometric shapes and bold accent colors.
• Enjoy mixing wood, glass, vinyl, and metal materials.
• Prefer furnishings that emphasize function over form, including multipurpose furniture.
• Love designing your room around statement pieces that draw the eye.
• A honey-hued brown wood-look luxury vinyl floor that mimics natural wood’s beautiful graining and knots.
• A patterned plush carpet that gives your space depth and makes an eye-catching statement.
Design by DIANA ROSE
Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI
A monochromatic decorating scheme can be a bit of an enigma. Employing a one-color palette somehow makes a space look larger without renovating, more organized without tidying, more luxurious without spending an extra dime, and totally timeless in a world of ever-evolving decorating trends. It’s truly amazing what a little color can do—or in the case of a monochromatic room, very little color. But contrary to popular conception, narrowing down your color choices to just one and then using it effectively can be a complicated matter, with the risk of a onedimensional, boring, and lifeless-looking space. There are some important principles to understand before you can ace a monochromatic space. Here’s what you need to know.
What draws people into monochromatic color palettes? Indeed, there’s nothing quite like a monochromatic interior, but the reasons behind the wide appeal of this look can be subtle and sometimes hard to rationalize. Aside from the advantages, the uniformity and simplicity of a single hue is soothing to the soul, especially when the color in question is neutral—as is often the case in a monochromatic room. The home has harmony among elements and between different rooms, resulting in a seamless flow that invites you inside. When it’s done well and with the right surrounding elements, this decorating scheme achieves a cocooning effect that many of my clients strive for as the chief goal of their redesign efforts.
As part of a home’s broader aesthetic, color is perhaps the most basic element, so choosing a color palette is the logical place to start the decorating process. You may be wondering, “what do you mean by ‘color’ in a monochromatic room?” And that’s where many are mistaken.
When planning a monochromatic space, it’s important to understand what monochromatic is and what it isn’t. It’s not a single color in a single hue, splashed as far as the eye can see. Rather, this look is all about using one color in its various forms, layers, patterns, and textures to create dimension, much like you would see in a traditional, multi-color scheme.
In any space, particularly in a monochromatic environment, color’s effect is all-encompassing, amplifying its influence on your surroundings. Research shows that colors evoke emotion, affect mood, and even manifest in our bodies
through increased appetite or changes in energy level. When choosing a single color, its impact should be a key consideration.
While neutrals are a common choice in monochromatic interior design, they’re not the only option. One can create a cozy or dramatic effect with a dark color or a vibrant vibe with a brighter color. Even so, neutral colors come in a wide range of tints, shades, and tones. Color decisions can be especially impactful when they change the feel of an entire room.
Whatever your color choice, make sure it’s one you love because once you decide to go monochromatic there’s no going back. The effectiveness of this aesthetic depends on your commitment to the color. So, if you’re going to do it, be prepared to go “all in.”
We’ve already talked about commitment to your color, which you’ll use everywhere from walls and floors to furniture, upholstery, and window treatments. It’s important to use your color in its various iterations—and let me stress various. When you’re limited to a single color, be mindful that you must create visual interest in other ways. In a monochromatic space, variety can come in the form of lighter and darker shades of a single hue. It also comes in a range of different textures and finishes, from matte or glossy to smooth or rough. By using different materials and bringing some patterns into play, you can mix and match for visual appeal. Juxtaposing these opposing elements creates contrast and greater visual interest. These contrasts naturally enhance each material’s unique characteristics and cause them to stand out more than they would on their own.
Like the principle of contrasting textures, your palette needs something to make it “pop.” Black, white, and metallics aren’t colors—if we’re getting technical—so feel free to incorporate these into your monochromatic scheme. Layering in some black draws the eye to key focal points and areas you wish to highlight. White, on the other hand, brings brightness and air to a room. And metallics are neutrals in their own right and can lend a little sparkle and detail. Just be sure to use these sparingly so you don’t dilute the broader goal of this styling strategy.
If you’re not ready to dive in headfirst, you can test the waters by starting small. Create a monochromatic front entranceway, walk-in closet, or home office. While many people love the monochromatic look, it isn’t for everyone. If you’re not sure but want to give it a go before applying it in a larger area, these small spaces are usually closed to adjacent rooms, so feel free to try an especially bold color. Paint, wallpaper, upholstery, and accessories will give you the biggest no-obligation bang for your buck. These small spaces have the added benefit of being easier and cheaper to decorate without all the intricate and expensive elements you’d find in a kitchen or bathroom. When it’s all said and done, if you decide you’re just not loving it, you can easily redecorate.
You can’t take your decor too seriously, and not everything is always “by the book.” Some decisions don’t have a rhyme or a reason, but instead come from a deep-down gut instinct that one can’t explain. With a monochromatic home, do what feels right. Choose a color that resonates with you and then surround yourself with textures, patterns, and accessories that reflect your idea of home, your experience of life, and your interpretation of love. All these things are subjective, and no one can tell you what is right or wrong. With the right resources and an open mind, a professional designer can guide you in the right direction to make your home beautiful, comfortable, and a true reflection of you.
Bringing layers into your design is an important decorating principle. Layers add depth and dimension to a space, enhance its tangible warmth, and heighten the sense of luxury. A layered decorating approach aims to achieve a holistic, harmonious scene of unified elements and accessories, which all work together to make an inviting aesthetic statement.
Regardless of your home’s style, layering is all about creating balance through cohesion and overlapping details. You can layer nearly anywhere using upholstery and window treatments, floor coverings and lighting, accessories and art on the walls, and colors and materials that form the floor of your space. If you want to build beautiful layers into your home, here are seven key themes and some no-fail rules to follow.
You can give walls and floors dimension by layering in architectural detail. Textural wallcoverings and 3D tiles create a subtle visual interest. Get creative with trim work, such as moldings, casings, panels, or wainscots. These elements all serve to draw in the eye.
Floors are an often-overlooked element—big mistake, given that they occupy a huge visual area and offer a chance to add style. Flooring presents the perfect opportunity to introduce layers, warmth, and detail to any room. Start by choosing a great base that supports the broader style of the room while taking your functional needs—like maintenance and foot traffic—into consideration. Consult an expert for all the options available to you. Then, you can layer in some color, texture, and warmth with an area rug.
There are tens of thousands of colors and patterns to choose from when decorating your home, and the “point and pick” method rarely results in a wellbalanced palette. There’s a universal design rule to follow when layering color and pattern. Start with three, which is a good and manageable number of colors or patterns to work with. If you have experience or are feeling brave, you can try four or five. Once you have your three choices, apply them using the 60:30:10 ratio. Sixty percent of your space (painted or patterned) will feature the dominant color or pattern—often a neutral choice that is typically reserved for walls and large-scale upholstered pieces. Your secondary choice will occupy 30 percent of what you see in the room, such as smaller upholstered furnishings, window coverings, and an area rug. The remaining 10 percent is intended to provide emphasis, like a bright accent color or black.
The best approach when adding furniture to a room is to start with the biggest pieces and work your way down to the smaller ones. Larger items may include a sofa, dining table, and bed. Once these key pieces are placed from a functional and aesthetic perspective, you can start to incorporate smaller furnishings, such as side tables and accent chairs. These secondary pieces enhance the room’s function and are important layering elements that tell your style story.
Layered lighting is essential to a room’s overall function and ambiance. Each room will have specific lighting requirements depending on its main purpose. Kitchens and bathrooms, for instance, will require more focused task lighting in specific areas to enhance function. Meanwhile, ambient spaces such as bedrooms and living areas often require mood lighting to create a sense of relaxation. Regardless of a room’s required ratio of functional versus aesthetic lighting, every lighting plan should include three key layers: ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Include a variety of light sources, such as ceiling-mounted fixtures, under-cabinet lighting, sconces, table and floor lamps, and accent lights to highlight key focal and architectural features.
This catch-all category encapsulates everything from artwork and accessories to seasonal items. Here’s where the trends can come into play.
To create balanced layers of accessories with a collected, curated look, keep an eye out for variety in the materials, textures, and shapes of the pieces you choose to display.
Remember that layering is a process. It takes time, experience, and, yes, some trial and error. Aim for balance and build an “aesthetic experience” in your home that captures the senses. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. When you hit the sweet spot for styling your space, you’ll know it.
Written by AMANDA SHIELDS
Design by AMANDA SHIELDS INTERIORS
Photography by MIKE CHAJECKI
Perhaps you haven’t given it much thought, but we spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Beyond the usual “business,” the bathroom is a private place to get away, relax, and unwind. It’s a focus for health and wellness and a haven for self-care and indulgence. Aside from being the most used room in the home, it’s also the most intimate, making it the perfect place to customize to your life, likes, and longings. And when it comes to investment value, second only to the kitchen, bathroom renovations typically yield the best returns when they’re well
equipped. When choosing features and finishes for your new bathroom, know where to splurge and where to save. Take it from a pro—not every upgrade is worth the spend!
Whether you’re renovating for personal enjoyment or aiming to increase the value of your home, here are some spa-inspired trends to try in your bathroom this year.
Earthy materials will continue to be front and center in the world of design and decor, further reinforcing our established connections with nature and the most basic elements all around us. Truly, the Earth has a way of soothing us when we need it most, making it a great source of inspiration for a spa-style bathroom.
For flooring and countertops, porcelain is the go-to for a number of reasons. Love the look of realistic Italian marble, elegant quartzite, or dramatic travertine? Porcelain tiles can echo any of these with realistic finishes and movement.
From a practical perspective, porcelain slabs are thin and designed to be installed over existing surfaces, including floor tile, wall tile, or countertops. They carry the look of fine natural stone at a fraction of the weight. Consider that a standard 1¼-inch thick piece of granite weighs between 18 and 20 pounds per square foot, and a two-inch thick piece can top 30 pounds per square foot. In contrast, porcelain slabs tip the scales at 2.81 pounds or 5.8 pounds per square foot, depending on their size.
Porcelain slabs come in huge 59-by-118-inch or 126-by63-inch sheets, which means you can create a seamless, grout-less surface, virtually anywhere. And unlike natural stone, porcelain slabs never require sealing, and they are etch-, stain-, and heat-resistant.
Color and texture further reinforce this trending organic aesthetic. Gentle, neutral tones add to a calming atmosphere, particularly when warmed up with textural elements commonly found in nature. Think natural wood grains and rough stones, coarse surfaces, matte finishes, and the like.
Plumbing fixtures follow suit, with brushed, knurled, and matte finishes shining most—or maybe more accurately, not shining quite as much as their polished counterparts. Muted finishes have become a popular hardware selection from chrome, copper, and gold to, more recently, black fixtures. These finishes offer an organic appeal and beautifully complement a suite of natural, neutral design choices.
Your lighting decisions should be guided by the bathroom’s overall style direction—whether it’s nature, glamour, or modern luxury. The lighting you choose should underpin your desired aesthetic. There are a few things to consider when it comes to your bathroom lighting, regardless of the style. Ensure you have enough lighting to deliver function and aesthetic appeal to the space. Install dedicated lighting in each key area of use, such as the vanity, bathing and shower area, toilet, dressing area, and meditation zone. Incorporate a balanced mix of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to enhance function and highlight focal points.
When selecting your light fixtures, stay consistent in your materials, finishes, and styles, and ensure your choices align with one another and the broader aesthetic of the bathroom design.
To achieve a soothing atmosphere, ensure all lighting is placed on separate switches and dimmers, allowing you to turn it on, crank it up, or tone it down as desired.
Your bathing area is where you can really customize your space to cater to your unique preferences—aesthetic and practical. Modern bathroom designs prioritize bath and shower experiences within open, seamless layouts that don’t demand you choose one or the other. Frameless, curbless showers feature continuous floor and wall tile with streamlined rain shower heads, sprays, and stream elements that are all but hidden when not in use. Meanwhile, deep, freestanding soaker tubs are front and center, as much about pampering the body as the eye. These artful, sculptural forms are complemented by a range of colors and materials, suited to every style, encouraging longer soaks and a little more “me time” at every opportunity.
Try it before you buy it! A soaker tub should fit your entire body to ensure the ultimate level of comfort. Don’t be afraid to get in and try it on for size. Remember that each bathtub has its intricacies, and what works for one person may not work for another.
If you thought you could or should escape technology in your spa-style bathroom, think again. On the surface, the tech trend seems to fly in the face of the aforementioned organic influences and overarching goal of rest and relaxation, but in reality, these smart features elevate our comfort and wellbeing behind the scenes. Features such as heated floors, warming towel racks and toilet seats, smart mirrors, intuitive lighting, and customizable shower and bath experiences are not outwardly visible, but once you’ve experienced the comfort and convenience they bring to your fingertips every day, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them.
The goal of your spa-inspired bathroom is to rest and relax, but getting there can be a bumpy road if not done right. You have a vision for your space, and you likely have a timeline for completion in mind. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of renovation projects go sideways, which can impact your budget. A renovation has a lot of moving parts, from the concept and planning stage, to choosing and ordering materials, to arranging for product delivery and installation—not to mention keeping the various suppliers and contractors accountable. A realistic timeline is critical, and keeping track of renovation milestones is key. Any delays in your renovation can have a costly domino effect on everything that follows.
Another question that can significantly impact your timeline and budget is whether you’re doing the work yourself or engaging a team of professionals.
Working with a professional has many advantages that pay off in the long run, including a thoughtful design, quality work, and completing jobs by deadlines. When hiring a designer or contractor, please do your due diligence to ensure they have experience with the type of work you need done. Check references and confirm the work was completed as discussed, on budget, and on time. Aside from the design itself, a professional designer’s job is to guarantee the work gets done without a hitch, from start to finish.
Deciding to renovate your bathroom is a big step, but it’s just the first of many ahead. My best advice is to be prepared. However, when completed, your bathroom will not only be the most used room in your home, but also the most loved!
Carpet One Floor & Home is your local source for all things flooring. Before diving into your next purchase, learn more about what makes each type of flooring unique.
BY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME
Versatile and beautiful, tile complements nearly any style, ranging from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. With a variety of available colors, patterns, sizes, and shapes, creating a design that is beautiful and elegant is simple. Tile offers several styles, and some types are even water-resistant or waterproof, making them ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and foyers. Tile can also be used to create an accent wall, interior spotlight, or textural feature for an elevated design.
Offering the look of hardwood, tile, or stone at a more affordable price, laminate floors are an excellent pick for those searching for the perfect combination of features, looks, and cost. Laminate is highly durable and waterresistant—ideal for many areas of your home. Entryway, staircase, playroom, and dining room messes don’t stand a chance against the durability of the laminate floors available today.
Area rugs are a quick and easy way to transform the feel of any space. Available in endless colors, designs, sizes, and shapes, they can play a major role in interior design by defining key spaces and providing complementary looks. Area rugs can also provide a level of protection for hard surface floors, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. And, because area rugs are a less permanent flooring style, they can be swapped out easily as trends and styles evolve so your home design stays current.
The ideal flooring option for adding warmth, carpet has been around for many years and still holds the top spot for making any space feel cozy. Carpet can increase a home’s overall level of comfort, and new technologies have enhanced its many benefits. With softer, stronger, and more stain-resistant carpets now available, maintenance is lower, and the burden of upkeep is no longer an issue. Plus, with new styles emerging, carpet is stylish and offers a look that suits any up-and-coming trend.
Known for its natural, charming appearance, hardwood is timeless and stylish. With strength complemented by raw beauty, hardwood floors create a canvas for interior styles that are inviting, flawlessly fashionable, and long-lasting. Available in varying wood types, stain colors, and finishes, hardwood options abound on the market. Some of today’s hardwood flooring styles offer additional features like water and scratch resistance to hold up to life’s toughest days. For a timeless and elegant look, hardwood floors are a great choice.
Luxury vinyl flooring is a top choice thanks to its gorgeous appearance and unmatched value. With cutting-edge technologies and digital design advancements, many luxury vinyl styles offer wood, tile, or stone finishes that closely resemble the real deal. These products are often so realistic that it can be difficult to discern between vinyl and the original flooring—making it a tasteful, attractive option for almost any interior style. In addition to its stunning appearance, luxury vinyl’s features make it ideal for a variety of lifestyles. Low-maintenance and water, scratch, and scuff-resistance are just a few advantages you can expect from vinyl flooring.
FACEBOOK facebook.com/carpetone
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/carpetonefh
YOUTUBE youtube.com/carpetonefh
PINTEREST pinterest.com/carpetonefh
TWITTER twitter.com/carpetone
BLOG
carpetone.com/blog
“ARCHITECTURE IS REALLY ABOUT WELLBEING. I THINK THAT PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL GOOD IN A SPACE.”
~ Zaha Hadid ~
Nothing says summer quite like a neighborhood lemonade stand, and oh how sweet and sticky the beloved refreshment can be. While we believe lemonade is best served on the patio or out by the pool, there’s no telling where your little helper may be sipping (and spilling) the sweet treat.
Here’s what you’ll need on hand to make sure you’re prepared for an accidental spill:
• Clear dishwashing detergent
• Enzyme laundry detergent
• Dry powder carpet cleaner
• Baking soda
• White towels
• Warm water
• Sponge
• Vacuum
1. Create your cleaning solution:
Pre-soak solution: Mix 1 teaspoon enzyme laundry detergent with one cup of water. Detergent: Mix ½ teaspoon clear dishwashing detergent with one cup of warm (not hot) water
2. Blot up excess spill.
3. Apply dry baking soda.
4. Scrape and vacuum.
5. Apply water using a damp sponge to rinse remaining baking soda. Don’t over wet.
6. Blot, don’t rub.
7. Apply pre-soak solution using a damp towel.
8. Rinse with water as above.
9. Blot—don’t rub—and dry well.
10. Apply dry powder cleaner.
11. Vacuum.
Note: Not all carpet fibers react the same way when treated for stains. Before proceeding with any of the cleaning procedures, we recommend you contact the appropriate fiber company for their suggested maintenance guidelines. Failure to follow these carpet stain removal guidelines may void your warranty. For more information, please contact your Carpet One Floor & Home retailer.
But they don’t have to stay with you forever. Be prepared to tackle any stain that life throws at you with Carpet One Floor & Home’s Stain First Aid app. It’s free for your iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet.
Never panic again when spills happen. Stain First Aid has over 50 of the most common household stains covered, including detailed cleaning instructions and video tips.
https://www.carpetone.com/about/stains
