Blog - Page 2 of 30 - Lori Gilder

Luxurious Closet Design That Meets Your Every Need

July 11, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Planning

You can never have too much storage space in a home, especially if you tend to collect belongings. While most home storage is designed to be purely functional and often hidden behind a closed door, one area of your home where you can invite some luxury into your storage is the master closet.

The master closet is one of the most private areas of your home– so why not be as decadent and indulgent as you want in your design! Here are just a few ideas for a master closet that will make you swoon:

Organization – You’ll want plenty of hanging space for your clothes, and the standard shelf and rod is not going to cut it for a well-organized space. Custom-designing your closet with built-in storage that can efficiently display shirts, pants, suits, and dresses organized in color stories, will make your primping experience much more pleasant. This usually requires multiple shelves and hanging areas expertly spaced to make the most of the square footage of the closet. If you have ample space your master closet providing multiple drawers will free up floor space in your master bedroom! And if you must share with your husband (and most of us do) provide him with tie/belt hangers and built-in shoe racks to help keep the closet from becoming haphazard and disorganized.

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Seating – Comfortable seating is an absolute must! Use a cushioned bench or a full sofa chair, depending on the space available to you. Not only does this give you a quiet spot to relax, it also makes it easier to put on your shoes in the morning.

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Lighting – In addition to having general overhead lighting, consider track lighting to focus on your actual wardrobe. Wall sconces are another wonderful option for getting more light into this room. Don’t stick with standard light fixtures, either; luxurious fixtures like an overhead chandelier can go a long way toward an incredible-looking space.

Full Length Mirror – You don’t want to leave your home with a missed button or a flipped collar! Full-length mirrors are a must for checking your appearance before you head out. Choose one with a frame so that it looks like a piece of art in your closet.

Vanity – Include a vanity that can be used to apply makeup and put on jewelry. Ideally, the vanity will have its own lighting and a cushy seat as well as a well-organized drawer for holding your jewels and makeup.

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TV – A TV in the closet is a great way to know what weather and traffic to expect from the day as you’re getting ready. No more running back inside for that jacket!
Coffee Station – For extra convenience, install a coffee bar nestled into a corner of the closet, especially if you’re like me and can’t live without those early morning cups.

For additional design tips and ideas for your home, be sure to visit me online at Interior Makeovers, Inc.. or call us at 310-788-0990. I’d love to help you create your ideal luxury closet space.

Photo credits:

1.) HouseBeautiful

2.) Pinterest

3. ) Decor Pad

4. & 5.) Houzz

Renovate Your Kitchen for Long-Lasting Design

July 8, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

I shouldn’t come as any surprise that kitchens still rank as one of the most desired home renovation projects for homeowners. Even if you’re not a gourmet chef, odds are you still spend a lot of time in your kitchen throughout the day. A well-designed kitchen is a natural hub for family members to gather and interact, cook and do homework, and mix drinks and entertain. A poorly designed kitchen is at best an inefficient eyesore and at worst an uncomfortable or even dangerous room in which to cook.

A luxurious kitchen design is not difficult to achieve. If a kitchen remodel is at the top of your home improvement list, educate yourself on some of the current kitchen trends. While you don’t need a “trendy” kitchen design per se, knowing where the modern kitchen is headed will keep your new kitchen from looking dated– and you’ll definitely get great ideas for features you never knew you wanted! Here are some current trending features for you to consider:

Neutral Colors – Neutral colors are currently trending and is also a wise choice when anchoring this space. Incorporating varying neutral tones will give your kitchen the longevity and timeless design for years to come. Introduce your favorite colors and textures in the seating, art, and accessories and rotate your collectables for a fresh update. The neutrals are best used in high ticket areas of the kitchen, like the cabinets, countertops and flooring.

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Open Design – Because the kitchen space is often used as a more social area by families, you may want to consider creating an open floor plan. Open plans are easier to navigate, especially if you have more than one cook in the kitchen. Creating a sense of uncluttered space with varying materials provides a more expansive and integrated architectural feel to your overall home design.

Luxurious Appliances – If you’re going to upgrade your appliances – invest in quality. State of the art cooking appliances such as an induction cooktops, refrigerator drawers and steam ovens may not make you an incredible chef on their own, but they will greatly increase the efficiency and enjoyment of any kitchen.

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For additional home renovations and kitchen remodeling advice, be sure to visit me online at Interior Makeovers or give us call us at 310-788-0990.

Photo Credits:

1.) Traditional Home

2.) House Beautiful

3.) Miele

Celebrate the Outdoors This Summer

June 29, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Planning

This weekend the temps are going to soar here in LA which means that summer is officially here! This is one of my favorite seasons for casual gatherings with friends, mostly due to the fact that the weather is ideal for outdoor cookouts and garden parties. So it makes sense that one of the most sought-after home improvement projects over the past several years are comfortable and well-designed outdoor living spaces. Homeowners in every climate are looking for better ways to enjoy the company of friends in the fresh air in an effort to extend the summer lifestyle.

An outdoor living area can be designed with all the comforts of an indoor space while allowing you to fully take advantage of the gorgeous summertime weather, whether it’s having friends and family over for a barbecue or simply having a place outside where you can enjoy a few quiet moments to yourself. Here are a few design tips to consider implementing for your outdoor space.

Garden Retreat – Create an outdoor space that utilizes a pergola to help shade you from the sun without completely blocking the light. For an area like this, introduce a number of different plants, trees and flowers to help provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere – perfect for reading a book in the afternoon!

Outdoor Living Room – Planning on entertaining more than a few guests during the summer? A subtle transition from the interior to exterior will provide you with more livable square footage. Build an outdoor living space directly outside of your home to help bring some of your indoor comforts out. This elegant extension will provide you with a mini home “resort” feeling which will enhance your quality of life and increase the value of your property!

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Patio Space – Sometimes, all you need is a small patio. If you like spending casual time with friends, family or by yourself, then a patio is the perfect place to do it. Add a table and surround it with comfortable seating of your choice for an easy to maintain and enjoyable patio area.

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These are just a few design tips for your home that you can use to create an outdoor area to enjoy. For more architectural interior design advice, please visit me at Interior Makeovers.

Photo Credits:

1.) House Beautiful

2.) Pinterest

3.) Pop Sugar

Leave No Stone Unturned With These Pebble Inspired Design Elements

June 23, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

When it comes to finding ideas for the unique touches that set a home apart, I often like to turn to the outdoors for my interior design inspiration. Trees and branches inspire intricate and elegant design elements, while flowers bring beauty and color into a space, but these are fairly common sources of design inspiration.

A favorite natural element that brings a sense of tranquility and stability to a space are rocks or pebbles. Pebbles are often associated with babbling brooks, lakeside beaches and spa retreats, so if you bring pebble-inspired design elements into your home you can emulate some of this serenity. Here are some great ideas for incorporating pebbles in your home:

Pebble Border – To provide a sense of calmness in your bathroom space, using a pebble accent for your walls is a great way to go. A simple pebble border that runs around the entire bathroom area is enough to provide a unique natural texture that complements your design.

Pebble Backsplash – You can also give pebbles a more prominent role in your bathroom design by using them in your backsplash. The thing I love about pebbles is that they come in a number of different colors and tones from light, medium or dark designs.

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Pebble Walls – Don’t be afraid to go all out- an entire wall of pebble tile is a great way to create a focal point in the bathroom. Here I incorporated stacked pebbles on all four walls of this poolside powder room.Choose other natural elements such as wood and stone to compliment it.

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Pebble Floors – You can add a pebble border to your floor to add texture, or you can even create a pit of actual pebbles in which to place your freestanding bathtub for an added element of luxury. We incorporated this pebble floor below, in this master bathroom renovation. My physician client loved the idea of the uneven natural floor underfoot as it tends to massage the feet at various pressure points.

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Pebble Accessories – A clear bowl full of pebbles is an easy way to add a touch of natural beauty to any room. You can also add a few pebble shaped candles to your design for a fun and unusual accent.

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These are just a few ways that you can use pebbles as interior design inspiration. For more architectural interior design advice, visit me at Interior Makeovers.

Photo 1: Pinterest

Photo 2: Lori Gilder/Interior Makeovers

Photo 3: Apartment Therapy

Photo 4: Lori Gilder/Interior Makeovers

Photo 5: Pinterest

Intricacy in Metal: The Work of Michael Aram

May 27, 2013Lori GilderLori Gilder

When I was in New York participating in #BlogTourNYC, I had the opportunity to visit the gallery of designer Michael Aram. This talented artist creates intricate and organic metal creations for the home, merging art and function with the skills and passion he found while visiting India.

His work brings the natural beauty of plants, feathers, and the ocean into delicately detailed metal pieces. Much of his work serves a functional purpose in addition to an aesthetic one; his collections include products like picture frames, serving dishes, and candlesticks that can all be used around the home. The pieces are made with traditional techniques by his own hand, which lends them life and personality even beyond the gorgeous details present in tree bark vases and the soft lines of a feather-inspired tray.

Any of the pieces in Michael Aram’s extensive collection of work would make a delightful addition to a home design. Imagine serving dinner and surprising your guests when the beautiful acorn sculptures nestled on an oxidized bronze leaf turn out to be the salt and pepper shaker. You bring out honey in a goldplate apple with a clever arrow-shaft spoon, recalling the story of William Tell. Bread is served in a metal basket made of silvery woven vines and leaves, and candles flicker from branch-inspired candleholders. Seeing Aram’s work in person is even more incredible than the online images. His collections were displayed in a renovated Chelsea Carriage House Showroom, which was the perfect location to set off his ornate pieces. We had the privilege to hear him talk about his work, his inspiration, and the life-changing trip to India that started it all. The love he has for his work shows in his speaking as well as in the final products, and it’s inspiring to see.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Michael Aram’s work and how you would use his products to add enchantment to your own home! Stay Inspired!

Coffee Lovers – Prepare Your Senses for the Scanomat Top Brewer

May 22, 2013Lori GilderLori Gilder

Over the past couple of months I have been sharing some insights into #BlogTourNYC and the wonderful sponsors, events and products we were privy to. The Architectural Digest Home Design Show was a highlight for me, and while the design inspiration, launch of new product lines and parties were fantastic, I wanted to share one of my favorite finds with you from the show. For those of you who really know me, you know how I absolutely love coffee – I need my cup of jo to start my day…and sometimes a few more in between. I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent plenty of time preparing my coffee machine or in line at various coffee shops throughout the city for the cappuccino I crave but don’t always have the time to make at home. If only I could have coffee on tap… Well, Scanomat has heard this wish and they have created an incredible revolution in coffee making technology. The Scanomat Top Brewer looks like a simple tap, but it is so much more. Designed to install easily in any countertop, this coffee maker has the smallest milk foamer in the world and it’s self-cleaning. The foamer heats fresh milk on demand, and the tap can also provide cold water, cold milk, hot water, and even steam for blanching your vegetables. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxVYe-TE2eU[/youtube] As if that’s not enough, the Top Brewer can be connected to your iPhone or iPad to brew your favorite coffee drink from an extensive menu. If you’re having a conversation with someone on your iPhone, don’t worry; there is a finger touch keyboard built into the tabletop so that you can still brew your favorite coffee – so cool! I tried a cappucino made with the Top Brewer at the show, and it was absolutely delicious! It’s almost silent, too, so you never have to worry about disturbing the other members of your family while foaming your milk. An ideal for that state of the art kitchen or your master bedroom suite.

I would love to help you design a luxury kitchen or master suite with the Scanomat Top Brewer. Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information! Stay Inspired!

Image via Scanomat

Meeting Amanda Stone Talley: Vibrant Artist, Vibrant Work

May 20, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

While I was in NOLA for the KBIS show last month, I had an opportunity with a few of my other designer friends to visit a local New Orleans artist: Amanda Stone Talley! She is a huge talent so it was quite a thrill being invited for a tour of her spectacular carriage house/gallery/ home studio for a cocktail (or two) to see where she lives and works and to admire her incredible work!

Amanda Stone Talley

A peek inside her studio where the magic happens.

Amanda creates vibrant abstract pieces with a lot of energy. Using flowing, intertwined lines and harmonious colors, her pieces have distinct character. The strength of her lines is reminiscent of Picasso’s work. All of her pieces manage to feel carefully crafted while still encapsulating a highly kinetic sensation; your eyes flow along the twisting lines as you get drawn deeper into the piece.

Her work lends itself well to contemporary design, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Several of her pieces have been translated into fabric and wallpaper designs that are perfect for the home! The paintings themselves provide quite an impact within any space it occupies. I recently introduced a client to Amanda’s work and they are now considering purchasing one as the finishing touch to their renovation in Palm Springs.

Amanda herself has the energy and engaging nature that you see and feel in her paintings. She warmly welcomed us into her home, gallery, and studio and she was incredibly charismatic in her presentation of her new wallpapers.

Myself, Andie Day, Amanda Stone Talley, Meredith Heron, Carmen Christensen in the Studio

Amanda rocked this frock by tying a few yards of her fabric around her neck…instant sophistication.

If you like Amanda Stone Talley’s work as much as I do, I would love to help you redesign your home with her pieces. Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. to learn more. Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1. Amanda Stone Talley

2,4,6. Lori Gilder

3. Decor Pad

5. Carmen Christensen

Streamlined Home Design Ideas for Comfort and Convenience

May 7, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

Good design is more than just a pretty face. Combining beauty and function into all your home’s decor and design schemes creates a more cozy and accessible environment for every member of your family. Innovative design features geared towards both comfort and convenience will also increase your home’s overall value. Here are a few tips to consider for your home renovations to ensure daily life more streamlined.

Easy Reach: Bending, stooping, pulling and pushing — adding these needs to simple tasks like cooking is inefficient and not very ergonomic. Features like pull-out drawers, eye-level shelves and custom closets make things not only more functional, but less cluttered and more visually appealing. Easy accessibility is key.

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Motion-Sensitive Lights: Stumbling around for a light-switch is a pain, especially when your hands are full. Installing motion-sensitive switches will not only save time looking for a way to turn on the light, but save energy as the lights shut off automatically when the room is empty.

Mood lighting: On the topic of lights, replacing traditional toggle switches with more effective mood lighting will also save time and energy. Dimmer switches are easier to control and offer more energy-efficient options when you need a small dose of light. Introducing overlapping pools of light will create the most beautiful atmosphere within a space – large or small.

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Bathtub and Shower: Many bathrooms come with standard features that may not be useful to you, like the bathtub and shower combination common in most homes. If you find that you never use your bathtub, consider upgrading to a shower with improved features and controls….from steam to multiple sprays and get the spa feel you’ve been dreaming of.

Door Handles: Door handles are a nuisance when your hands are slippery and you need to get in a room. Remove old doorknobs in favor of more elegant handles that offer increased functionality and are more aesthetically pleasing.

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Every home presents unique opportunities for streamlined and elegant design tailored to your lifestyle and needs. If you need some tips on how to add comfort and convenience to your home renovations, I’d love to help! Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. for more information. Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.+2.) Houzz

3.) Pinterest

World Tour of Design: Ireland

May 5, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

In this week’s World Tour of Design, lets hop over the pond to the Emerald Isle to take a look at the beautiful design and architecture of Ireland. Ireland bursts with loads of tradition and culture with an architectural interior design that encompasses many warm and expressive decors. From the quaint thatched roof cottages to the large churches, castles, forts, school houses and even converted lighthouses, Irish design is characterized by an almost whimsical connection to their rich history and a practical grounded connection to the land. With the Gaelic and Celtic cultures, homage is naturally extended to wholesome expressions and strains of Irish religion.

Traditional Celtic knotwork and Irish interlace stand as basic symbols of decor in many Irish homes. The designs are intricate and flow fully around picture frames with traditional pictures of history and family. Irish linen consists of sophisticated, usually reversible patterns regarded world over for its fine weaves. The unique Jacquard and Damask weaves represent outstanding craftwork found in pillow cases, bed sheets and duvet covers.

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Today’s modern country styles rest on rustic backgrounds of the lush, green “Emerald Island” concepts that have characterized rustic Irish life.

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The Irish House and Home architectural interior design magazine promotes a look of feminine textures and layered neutrals augmented by emerald green – this year’s shade picked by Pantone. Calm color palettes include whites, neutral grays and soft lavenders with colorful stripes extended to accessories. Kitchen designs appear with urban retro looks that engage vintage furniture and ornate candelabras with attractive untreated wood surfaces.

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Contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 for help designing your own home with Irish flair. Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Realtor.com

2 + 3.) Irish House and Home

4.) Houzz

A Recap of My Time at KBIS

May 1, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Planning, Renovations

Last post, I talked about the KBIS and NKBA’s 50th anniversary, but today I’d like to go a little deeper into my actual involvement with the show. While at KBIS, I gave two presentation, joined a panel discussion, and was even on a radio interview. It was a busy show, but I enjoyed every minute of it. My two presentations were organized to introduce the revolutionary new showroom technology from QueX. This technology allows users to interact with a virtual showroom and virtual home designs to help designers and clients work more efficiently together when planning and creating a design project. It takes out much of the guesswork and the chance for miscommunications by providing a “virtual” face to face between the designer, client and any major supplier or GC – enhancing the collaboration process. I was thrilled to be among one of eight designers selected to interpret a home space for different generations; my design assignment was the GenX Kitchen. We created drawings, concept boards and virtual 3D’s of our designs which were then loaded on to the QueX platform – allowing us to interact with our audience using the multi-touch display screens.

Our Fabulous Featured Designers: Andie Day, Carmen Christensen, Cheryl Kees Clendenon, Corey Klassen, (me), Meredith Heron, Susan Serra and Tyler Wisler. Working with QueX technology allows everyone involved to get a full overview of all aspects of the design process, at the same time enhancing the communication between the client and the design team as a whole.

I was also asked by Veronika Miller of Modenus to share some highlights and favorite finds from #BlogTourNYC and the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. I was joined by other alum from previous Blog Tours: Tamara Stephenson – BlogTour London, Kelly Morisseau – BlogTourNYC, and Brandon Smith – BlogTour Cologne. They all had some great insights on how to use some of their favorite discoveries as design inspiration. Finally, I was invited to do a radio interview for MyFixitUpLife. Mark and Theresa, the hilarious couple behind this helpful website take you on an insiders tour of the home improvement industry. They hosted three – hour long shows during KBIS and I was lucky enough to get a jam packed 15 minutes with them. They are so full of life and energy…I could have spoken with them for hours!

I was so glad to have had this opportunity to meet all of these talented people and experience the industry trends and emerging technology. Stay tuned for more NOLA adventures! Stay Inspired!