World Tour of Design: England

January 31, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

In our last World Tour of Design, we explored the rich and warm aesthetic of Kenyan design. Since I still find myself occasionally slipping into a British accent thanks to my recent Downton Abbey binge, I’d like to take this World Tour of Design to England. We have been translating the British aesthetic in the U.S. from our very beginning, giving it an American twist, but classic English decor and architecture still remains as sophisticated and elegant as afternoon tea and biscuits, providing us with plenty of interior design inspiration. English design, influenced by the Italian and French during the 17^thand 18^th centuries, can be simplified into two major styles: Victorian and English Country. The Victorian style came about as a new wealthy class developed in urban settings due to the Industrial Revolution, and the English Country style was born on large country estates for the landed gentry of that era. The opulence and drama of Victorian décor calls for bold colors in living rooms and bedrooms. Dining rooms and libraries can go lighter, but they could feature special paint finishes or highlighting textures. Victorian walls are papered in primary florals or earth-toned leaf patterns. Extravagant furniture pieces feature ornate French-influenced scrolls and curved edges or the overstuffed styles inspired by British Eastern colonies.

Comfortable, classic English Country design features dark, autumnal colors that mimic the rich shades of a bountiful harvest, along with wallpaper in intricate floral patterns inspired by an English garden. Create that lived-in look with overstuffed furnishings, brass accents and your favorite collectibles for a slightly more curated interior with a lot of character. Traditional wooden bookcases filled to the brim with books, a cheerful fireplace, and a large leather sofa should give the room a sense of coziness.

For more interior design inspiration or help infusing English Country charm or Victorian opulence into your home, contact me or call 310-788-0990 at Interior Makeovers Inc. I’d love to hear from you!

Photo Credits:

1.) Pinterest

2.) Country Living

Creating Texture in Your Home with Pressed Tin

January 24, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

I love the look of pressed tin, and I’m thrilled that it appears to be enjoying a rebirth. Popular in the mid-19th century as a more affordable alternative to European plasterwork, this versatile material can be used in any home interior to add texture and architectural interest to your space. I think pressed tin offers a marvelous alternative to paint, tile and wallpaper, especially if you enjoy a hint of the unexpected in your home design. The following are a few of my favorite places to use pressed tin: Ceiling Give people a reason to look up when they enter a room with a surprising and beautiful pressed tin ceiling. It creates instant architecture reflects light throughout the space.

Backsplash Instead of the standard tile backsplash, you can give your kitchen some 19th century elegance with pressed tin. The pattern and texture provides an interesting backdrop to the cabinetry.

Wall panels Why not install pressed tin panels on the wall for that “wow factor”? It is a great replacement for the flat and ordinary look of paint, or wallpaper and paneling.

Headboard for a bed Give your bed some dramatic flair with a gorgeous pressed tin headboard.

If you’re still on the fence about pressed tin, consider these advantages over other materials:

Panel sizes are generally smaller
Weight difference is enormous
Panels last much longer
Adds more value to your home
Huge variety of patterns and designs
Painting is easy
Simple installation

I wholeheartedly agree with the saying that “everything old becomes new again”. Pressed tin brings back the style and feeling of a bygone era. Using pressed tin makes ordinary projects become personal statements of your style and artistic flair. It shows the personality and depth of your home and create a wonderful throwback to yesterday. For architectural design services contact me at Interior Makeovers, Inc by calling 310-788-0990. I would be happy to work with you to help create a home you can be proud of that highlights your personal style and tastes.

Photo Credits:

1.) House Beautiful

2.) Country Living

3.) C’Reflections

4.) Casamidy

Design Inspiration from Downton Abbey

January 22, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

I recently caught up with the latest episodes of Downton Abbey, the increasingly popular British drama, and it made a huge impression on me….so much so that I seemed to be stuck in a British accent at the end of my four day marathon. All of the visuals and historical details flooded me with both intrigue and inspiration. Downton Abbey may be a fictional estate, but the mansion is filmed in the very real Highclere Castle. Highclere Castle is a building with a long history, but it underwent extensive renovations in the mid-19th century and now features a primarily Elizabethan Revival style. From the intricate exterior architecture to the richly decorated interiors, the setting of Highclere Castle adds depth to every scene of the series.

There is something luxurious, yet oddly comforting about the Victorian estate. In the rooms inhabited by the aristocracy, intricately detailed patterns and accent pieces add layers of interest. The French green silks which adorn the walls of this Drawing Room creates a jewel-box-like atmosphere and their hand-picked appearance gives the space a very personalized air.

The grand Saloon and its Gothic style of architecture functions as the heart of Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey. Here the intricate Spanish leather wall coverings clad the walls of the saloon, creating the most spectacular texture and detail.

Below is a detail of the Saloon’s embossed leather walls. The colors, tones and texture mirror the Gothic arches throughout the space.

The Mercia bedroom is known best for its four poster bed adorned with 18th Century silks and coordinating furniture.

The Library is one of the more popular rooms used for filming “Downton” and is still used by its owners The Earl and Countess of Camarvon to this day as a favorite space to lounge before and after lunch and dinner.

Which is your favorite room in Downton Abbey? Looking forward to the next installment aren’t you? Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Architectural Digest

2-6) Highclere Castle

Luxurious Kitchen Trends to Look For in 2013

January 15, 2013Lori GilderRemodeling

One of my favorite things about starting a new year is the influx of new design ideas and trends that come with it. It’s refreshing to have a wave of fresh inspiration at the beginning of the year, especially when designing a room as popular and important as the kitchen. Luckily, 2013 promises to be another exciting year for kitchen design trends.

There’s been a shift in cultural priorities toward materials and design elements that stand the test of time, so more neutral colors and tones maintain their popularity in kitchen design – particularly on the big ticket items like cabinetry and countertops. The blending of these neutral tones with varied woods, laminates, glass, metals, stones, even leather and crystal – gives the homeowner an opportunity to showcase their personal design style. The kitchen is your family’s core……so when you re-design it – think of it as your canvas in which you build the base, then add these layers one by one.

The practical aspects 2013 kitchen design continue with clean lines and modern styling, but with some added warmth from touches of classic country style design. Kitchens continue to be a part of the popular open floor plan design of homes – where clean lines and warm neutrals help to emphasize the open feeling.

A touch of luxury returns to the trending kitchen features in the high performance appliance choices among homeowners. It could be due to the continued surge of interest in healthy living and eating or those Food Network cooking shows that we can’t get enough of.

When it comes to appliances, gourmet cooking features are still topping the list with a focus on technological innovation, speed and efficiency. From the induction cooktop, steam ovens and refrigerator drawers integrating these appliances seamlessly into the cabinetry is a European trend that has finally made its way here. This is THE year to give yourself the gourmet kitchen you’ve always dreamed of. I would love to help you design your new kitchen; just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990. Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) HGTV

2.) Houzz

3.) Houzz

World Tour of Design: Kenya

January 11, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

In our last World Tour of Design, we visited Spain and took a look at its Mediterranean-influenced architecture. In this week’s World Tour, I’m off to Kenya to explore the culture and design of this incredible country. Traversing the Kenyan plains on Safari is on my “wish list”, “to do list” and “bucket list”, but for now lets peek inside their design aesthetic.

Much of Kenya’s current art and design pulls inspiration from the natural environment and the rich cultural heritage of its various tribes. Modern Kenyan artists frequently paint semi-abstracted human figures, similar to the distorted figures commonly seen in the sculpture of the region. Sculpture itself is very prominent in Kenyan design, and including more three-dimensional work than paintings in your home decorating is a great way to incorporate some of the atmosphere of Kenya in your home.

Natural materials, particularly wood and plant material like palm and grasses, are also commonly featured in Kenyan design. Wood furniture, especially in organic forms, and decorative plants can be used in your home’s interior to further enhance a Kenyan design theme.

Designing with Prints

Printed fabrics are another heavily-used element in Kenyan design and culture. Colors tend to be warm and reflect the tans, golds, reds, and oranges of the Savannah. Introduce some geometric patterns in the fabrics and small touches of animal print in your design.

I would love to help you design a home with inspiration from Kenyan art and culture! Just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com!

Photo Credits:

1.) House Beautiful

2.) Houzz

3.) Martin Lawrence Bullard

4.) House Beautiful

Top Home Design Trends for 2013

January 3, 2013Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design, Remodeling

The past year has been an exciting one for home design, but now that we’ve ushered in a new year it’s time to take a look at the most popular trends for this year. Home design trends for 2013 are building on many of those established in 2012, like open floor plans and energy-efficient design, with an overall attitude shifting toward easy, simple living with low-maintenance materials and streamlined design. Take a look at which home design trends reign supreme:

Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living spaces continue to be popular in 2013, with seamless transitions from interior to exterior spaces. Outdoor spaces feature everything from cozy seating, entertainment systems, fireplaces or fire pits, to full outdoor gourmet kitchens. Why not extend the summer for as long as you can and implement a few of these luxuries into your backyard space?

Finished Basements and Attic Spaces

Developing an unfinished basement or attic is fast becoming a smart and sensible remodeling project. Renovating and finishing undeveloped space that already exists in your home, instantly increases your home’s square footage and its overall value! When craving that extra space it makes good sense to finish these undeveloped rooms rather than adding onto the home. Basements and attics are ideal spaces for creating media rooms, offices, studios, or that much needed extra bedroom.

Open Floor Plans

The open floor plan is a trend that is here to stay. It has been increasingly popular over that past few years and will continue well on into 2013 and beyond. Open spaces floods natural light throughout your home, facilitates conversation between rooms. allows for greater flexibility in the use of adjacent spaces and makes your home feel that much larger. If you don’t currently have an open floor plan, consider removing a wall or two to improve the flow. You’ll be glad you did!

Energy Efficiency and Improved Air Quality

Energy efficient home building continues to grow in popularity, allowing home owners to live more comfortably and save money. Consider replacing old windows, furnaces, and water heaters with new energy efficient models and incorporating automated systems to continue improving the efficiency of your home. New HVAC and solar heating technology can also improve the efficiency and comfort of your home.

Quartz Kitchen Countertops

Granite has been dethroned by quartz in 2013. The countless color options, its high durability, and low-maintenance makes quartz surfaces highly appealing to homeowners. The colors and finish options are endless and are ideal countertop solutions for any kitchen or bath design style.

Bathroom Remodels

Bathroom remodeling was huge last year and is fast becoming as popular as kitchen renovations. We are seeing a distinctive touch of luxury returning to master baths. This is becoming the most coveted space – a retreat to escape to at the end of a hectic day. Free standing tubs, walk-in showers with frameless glass, and European style wet baths are trending this year.

Hardwood Flooring

The timeless natural hardwood floor returns to popularity in 2013, trending this year are the lighter shades and stains. The salvaged look is also hot, with hand-scraped wide planks.

Which home design trend are you most excited about seeing in 2013? Stay Inspired!

Photo Credits:

1.) Houzz

2.) Southern Accents

3.) Houzz

4.) GreenPlanetBuilding.com

5.) Caesarstone.com

6.) House Beautiful

7.) Houzz

In Love With White Countertops

December 27, 2012Lori GilderRemodeling, Renovations

What is it about crisp white kitchen countertops that captivates our hearts? Is it the cleanliness and purity that speaks volumes or the reflective qualities that brighten the overall space? This kitchen design trend has been popular for years, and works beautifully with any kitchen cabinet finish and style. Its versatility is endless and has an overwhelming appeal to many design savvy homeowners.

White kitchen countertops create a crisp punch to small spaces and offers a modern, upscale appeal.

Custom kitchen design — Using Glassos….Photo image: Julian Wass Designer: Louse Brooks

If you are designing a new kitchen, white is a fantastic starting point. When your kitchen features white surfaces, any accent colors you add can really pop!

Kitchen interior design styles — Caesarstone countertop organic white

White is a timeless choice that will promote your home’s marketability. Here are a few design tips for your home that may help when doing a kitchen makeover:

White gives a kitchen a very clean and open appearance and enhances the brightness of both natural and artificial lighting in the room.
Plastic laminate counters are history. Instead, choose from several luxurious white materials for your countertops and islands.
White granites have the luxurious feel of marble at a lower cost. They also have a subtle infusion of color that only serves to bring out the white beauty of the stone.
Quartz is the highest-rated and most affordable countertop surfaces. There are several white choices and all of them are wonderful!

White kitchen interior designs — Image via: Houzz.com Designer: Timothy Corrigan Countertop white thassos

White Caesarstone® is an engineered 95% quartz, very adaptable to most kitchens. Its stains can usually be eliminated with baking soda. GLASSOS® is a crystallized glass with an intense white surface. It claims to be harder than most granites and offers greater stain proofing, scratch-resistance and never needs to be sealed!. Let’s investigate this one! I would love to help you design your kitchen with beautiful white surfaces! Contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 and let’s turn your vision into a reality!

2012 Design Quarter Holiday Crawl

December 14, 2012Lori GilderLori Gilder

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural 2012 Design Quarter Holiday Crawl. This open house event in Los Angeles’ La Cienega Design Quarter featured thirteen participating showrooms coming together in an effort to raise funds for the Charitable Children’s Guild, which supports LA’s Orthopedic Hospital. I was thrilled to have my friend and fab kitchen designer Rebecca Reynolds in town for this great evening. We started at Egg & Dart Home, (which c0-hosted the event) where we were able to experience some of the industry’s finest home fashion designs. This exquisite showroom sparkles with spectacular lighting fixtures by Niermann Weeks, Borghase and Ron Jesse Lighting… which highlights the most elegant furnishings from Adriana Hoyos, Christopher Kennedy and many more in between. Egg and Dart Home

After our personal tour from Egg & Dart Home owner Keith Hudson, we grabbed a shuttle to Mecox Gardens, a fabulous source of antiques, re-editions and original designs from around the world. Their collections are so well curated that there is no shortage of sourcing pieces for any type of home design style.

While at the Holiday Crawl, I got to meet and chat with Kathy Levine, an incredibly talented woman who designs and manufactures fine antique-style pillows and other accessories. As an avid animal lover, I fell in love with her Belgian Linen dog and horse appliquéd pillows….a must have!

She also had hand-embroidered Suzani pillows and appliqued hand towels, which would make the perfect hostess gift for the holidays!

All told, it was a wonderful event and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. What is your favorite holiday event in LA?

Pantone’s Color of the Year – 2013

December 11, 2012Lori GilderRemodeling, Renovations

Pantone, a leading authority on color and color communication across industries, has released the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year. After 2012’s vibrant and warm Tangerine Tango, 2013 takes a refreshing dip in the cooler end of the color spectrum with Emerald.

Emerald Home Accents

Image via: Houzz

Emerald is a more balanced and sophisticated tone than the energetic Tangerine Tango, but it also has its own rejuvenating energy that, while not as vivacious as Tangerine Tango, is no less potent. Historically, this is a color used to symbolize growth, healing, and prosperity, making it a great choice for the promising future we hope to see in 2013.

Image via: Veranda

Using Emerald in your home will convey a sense of both calm and opulence, adding a lushness to your interior design. Using it as a primary tone in a room might be a bit overwhelming, but it makes a beautiful accent when paired with neutrals like grays and sandy earth tones. An Emerald accent can become an instant focal point in a room, rejuvenating the look of a space as it rejuvenates you.

Image via: Veranda

I would love to help you design your home’s interior with luscious Emerald accents! Just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com, and I’ll be happy to give your home a unique Pantone-inspired design.

World Tour of Design: Spain

December 5, 2012Lori GilderArchitectural Interior Design

In our last World Tour of Design, we took a look at Japanese architecture and design. On this World Tour, in honor of my recent entry into the Tile of Spain: Passport to Creativity 2013 contest, I’d like to travel to Spain and take a look at their design, from Spanish Colonial to modern Spanish architecture. Spanish design, like a lot of design styles in the Mediterranean region, is heavily influenced by its environment. Common colors are drawn from the coast, from the blues and greens of the sea to the whites and browns of the shore. Materials common to this style also influence the color palette, such as terracotta and copper. Texture, minimal accessorizing, and the use of metal accents and rich tapestries are also distinguishing features of Spanish design.

The minimal accessorizing and primarily neutral color palette of Spanish interior design also complements a more modern style of architecture that is currently appearing in Spain, like this gorgeous house in Valencia, Spain.

In the United States, we see the influence of Spanish colonists in the design aesthetics of the southwestern states. As with architecture and design in Spain, the Spanish Colonial style of the American southwest draws influences from its landscape, which in this case means using desert colors of sand, red, pink, purple, and white. Similarly to Spanish style, Spanish Colonial also features tiles, metal accents, woven wall hangings, and pottery.

I’d love to help you design your home with influences of Spanish or Spanish colonial style! Just contact me at Interior Makeovers Inc. by calling 310-788-0990 or emailing Lori@InteriorMakeovers.com!