Summer Solstice

Despite temperatures already reaching the mid-to-high 90s, today is the official first day of summer! Summer is the time to sit on the porch, relax and watch the sun go down. Don't worry we have some tips and tricks to get your outdoor space a great place to relax and enjoy the summer.

This is an amazing outdoor space Wamhoff Development and myself collaborated on. Can't overlook the custom Summer Classics furniture!

1) Outdoor furniture doesn't get the comfort of air conditioning

There are a wide variety of outdoor furniture companies that sell products in all sorts of price ranges.  Outdoor furniture and fabrics have to endure much more than just normal everyday wear and tear.  They have to endure rainstorms, hot hot hot temperatures, and chlorine or salt water from your pool or beach. Take a moment to assess what sort of beatings your furniture is going to take and check out different products and their reviews.  What may be great for high heat may not live as well in close proximity to salt water...

Check out Summer Classics for some of my favorite outdoor furniture!


2) Sunbrella, Sunbrella, Sunbrella

If you are getting furniture with cushions, but sure that it is OUTDOOR rated fabric. This will ensure that the color does not fade in the sun, mildew won't grow after a rain, dyes won't run after an afternoon swim and then lounge. Sunbrella is the most popular brand outdoor fabric, and it's my favorite. Their collections have lots of  great colors and patterns to chose from. Plus when they get dirty you can literally just hose them off!



3) Know how to take care of your furniture

Outdoor furniture requires a little different maintenance than your indoor sofas and chairs.  For example, most manufacturers recommend vertically orienting your cushions after a rainstorm or good washing is the best way to dry the cushions.  Make sure to check manufacturers suggestions for cleaning and maintaining your new stuff.

Happy Designing!
Erika and Erin

Awesome Wood Console!

During some point of every project, I find something for a client that I would love to have in my own space.  Some of those items are no brainers, perfect pieces of furniture in my personal style.  Others, surprise me! Like this console.  Check out this one of a kind piece one of my clients ordered from Phillip's Collection! 

You got it - it is a giant hunk of wood :) But it is quite extraordinary!

www.philipscollection.com

This is one giant piece of Makha wood, a hard tropical wood. Here's what the Phillips Collection says about their beautiful piece...

"The Makha wood is a rare hardwood, highly prized for its outstanding finish. The wood is hard, heavy and dense and develops a beautiful patina as it ages. Makha is finely figured and typically reserved for use in fine musical instruments and luxury car interiors. The base of the Makha tree is especially valued due to the massive burls that grow in the root system"

Here's the amazing piece in it's new home!

By Design's New Website!

This week saw an exciting change here at By Design Interiors. We had the launch of our new and improved website, thanks to our new Marketing Manager, Mrs. Jamie Jones.

The new website looks great and has a ton of pictures for potential clients to look at for inspiration and show off how awesome all of our designers are. We are all really excited to share it with everyone!

You can check out our revamped website at www.bydesigninteriors.com

 - Erin

Color Trends 2013...Where Do They Come From?

Ever wonder where trends come from? I do. Like the Harlem Shake...Come on people it's not that funny. But for those of you who have ever wondered where color trends come from. Look no further.

There is a company out there call Pantone, and their entire company is about selling color. They literally have a name, number and swatch for about every color there every was. Not only that, they have gadgets that can read a color and tell you its name and number.

Yea, so what? Well not only does this company sell color and color related products, they create forecasts of the next big color of the seasons. They analyze the markets in fashion and homes. Based on that they give out their predictions every season.

So wonder why there is all of the sudden emerald green every where? It's not because of the new Oz movie (which was pretty good p.s.). It's because Emerald Green was named Pantone's Color of the Year for 2013, and was featured in both the spring and fall color trends forecasts.

pantone.com

pantone.com

pantone.com

So if you ever want to know what the next big color is going to be check out pantone.com, and get the inside scoop.

 - Erin

Perfect Paint Colors - Tips from the Pro's

I have said it before on this blog and I will say it again...Picking the Perfect paint can be stinking hard. I mean sometimes the you walk in a room and think 'Wow my eyes are going to burn out because that paint color is SO bright.' Like the time my dad painted the bathroom "Green Apple". One awesome fight with Mom and several gallons of Kilz later, the bathroom was white again.

But it doesn't have to be hard. I have gathered some tips and tricks from the experts at By Design to help you pick the perfect paint color.

"1.  Hire a pro!!!
2.  Choose colors that you look good in. (You should always feel your best in your own home)." -Amber Reddoch

"I love to take color inspiration from favorite pieces in the room: artwork, rug, fabric, pattern, accessory.  After selecting your favorite color, get a big sample and look at it in the room."
- Jamie Jones

"Do something fun and bright in your laundry room; adding a spunky color makes laundry less of a daunting task :) Try a rich pink, bright apple green, or blue. And definitely don't forget about the ceiling - different colors or wall papers can add another fun element." - Erika Barczak

"If you love it, who cares if its not the "IT" color of the moment. It's your home. If you're happy with it, that is all the matters." - Erin Rose

"You should always look at a color in the space it is going to be. Color's can look so different in your home than they do in the store. Always get a liquid sample and look at it on your walls."
 - Megan Arrendondo

I hope these tips and trick help you with your next amazing project.

 - Erin

And then there was Edison...

I have a weird pet peeve...I don't really like light bulbs to much...It's weird I know. I just hate when you see a pretty lamp or light fixture and people have those curly fluorescent blubs showing. Or those LED space ship looking ones. I see those and I expect the crazy haired guy from the alien show on History to show up. YICKS!

But I do love a good Steampunk, Industrial, Vintage look. I don't really care what you call it, but these Edison bulbs that are trending right now are AWESOME looking. It adds character and interest to a light fixture, instead of taking it away or distracting from it.

I mean check this out.

Esty.com

 - Erin