Fun Fact About Limestone....its actually harder and more durable than marble flooring. This is the shipment we have been waiting for since mid 2008. Its almost completely installed in one of my projects and my Client, as I knew he would, LOVES it. I ran 16" x 24" pieces in a running bond pattern for about 1,100 sq. ft. of the downstairs. Gorgeous. When viewed from a distance, the coloring is so even that it almost looks like concrete. Its smooth like butter. Its cool to the touch (which is welcomed in our southern CA climate). When you look at it up close, you can see all the subtle characteristics of this particular type of limestone. Little fossils and shells and natural bits. It took a bit to get it right. The first shipment didn't match up correctly. It went back. Then we waited a long time for a new batch. It was worth the wait.

I heart Limestone in a huge way. HUGE!

You know that popular saying, "God is in the details"? Guess what...its true for great design, too. Read this editorial with "The Grande Gesutre" post from September 2007 (click here to read it).

Not only is great design derived from the Grand Gesture, (or, overall 'statement'), it is supported by the details that echo the big, broad brush strokes that are the Grande Gesture. Details can be built into the architecture and design itself, or they can be applied to an element of design. The little bits and pieces, the care of craft and design and the little extras, when done well, uplift and support the main idea. (However, when approached without restraint, they can quickly become too much!).

Designing down to the last layer, designing something unique for a client, taking something standard issue and customizing it, taking a common shape and reinventing it- all these things and more add depth and personality to a design. The details and "different-ness", either in arrangement, application of materials or actual design signal that a designers hand was in a project and that the client, therefore, values great design.

In designing timeless spaces for my clients, its sometimes challenging to walk the line of classic and current. That's where details come in. A guideline I use is to ask myself, "How can I elevate this expected shape or element into the unexpected?". In doing so, I am able to add detail and create a design that sets itself apart and also supports the Grande Gesture.

I grew up with a mother that loved Accent Walls. When I say "Accent Wall", I am referring to a room where only one wall is painted a color- and the other walls are left white. I'm not sure if it was the trendy thing to do back then or if she was just afraid of using color in a more liberal fashion. Usually the wall to be painted was the wall with a focal point- the fireplace wall or the wall with the bed. She was always concerned with making our home lovely, which I give her credit for, but I grew to detest Accent Walls. Even at a young age, my aesthetic intuition made me feel that it was just not enough, it was unfinished.

Now that I'm an interior designer (and, looking back to childhood...there really is no question that an interior designer is what I am in my bones!), still find accent walls at that first site meeting or initial consultation! Once I get to the root of the preference, I find its usually due to fear of color and what that color might do to a room (the biggest worry is that it will be "dark" or "make the room look smaller"). I will say that Accent Walls have their place. Contemporary, modern and eclectic interiors lend themselves very nicely to the concept of accent wall color.

While I am still not a huge fan, here are some tips for executing a room with an Accent Wall, (should you choose to do one yourself):

-No matter the space, accent walls are best achieved where all the walls are painted a light or medium neutral color and the accent wall is painted a darker color that relates to the neutral or a bold color that contrasts with the neutral. Don't leave the other walls white.

-You have to be sure that every other element in your room coordinates (but isn't "matchy-matchy"!) and carries out the accent colors hue and value. If there is no thought of coordination and balance of color throughout the room, your accent wall will look like floating, unrelated color. Think about coordinating pillows, upholstery fabric and drapery.

-Think about putting a flower arrangement in your accent color somewhere else in the room. I like the spriggy florals that are out right now- lots of little blooms on long stems that arc softly downward. Stay away from expected arrangements that can look dated. If you are using a neutral or earthy color, do a stick or grass arrangement. Flowers and natural grasses are a great way to mix that accent color around.

Check out my blog post about paint brands I personally use and specify for my clients here.

Let me preface this answer by stating that I do not think anyone should do anything because its a trend. Your home needs to work for you and your life, and reflect your style. Its perfectly okay to disregard trends and pick and choose which ones you want to adapt- but only if they reflect your style and your values.

What I do (and sugges to clients) is to incorporate trends in small doses- and in ways that are easily changeable. In other words, don't splurge on the trendy new sofa. Instead, splurge on gorgeous textiles and change up the throw pillows. Don't replace your counter with recycled blue soda-bottle terrazzo. Rather, paint the powder room or the inside of the guest coat closet that "new" shade of blue and let your tried and true mouldings balance that zing of trend.

How to successfully incorporate trends in your interior:

-Understand your style and what your designer has done. At the end of a project, I like to give my clients a few tips on how they can go about purchasing items after I am no longer on retainer. Colors, shapes, materials and retail vendors to check out (and ones to stay away from!) are used as guidelines. Understand what will and will not work in your space- that really helps to narrow down the field of choices that are out there at any given point in time.

-Keep your architectural bones and investment pieces and incorporate appropriate trends in small doses. Things like textiles, paint changes, and accessories can switch up your space and add that bit of trend without going overboard or veering too far from your established concept and style.

-Incorporate small splashes of trend all over, not just in one room. A new Blanc de Chine vase in a new playful shape can trend up the dining room. New throw pillows can liven up the parlor. New paint can liven up the powder room. Its a subtle trend lift all over, rather than lots of trend in one place.

-Don't confuse "trending" with "updating". Sometimes, its time to update even the most classic of spaces. Updates keep "Classic" current, too much trend carries Classic into a faux pas-ville.

-Know when to stop. If you think you may have a problem with this, consult a pro.

-Consider rotating art (art makes such a huge impact- changing out a traditional piece with a modern piece can do so much) and area rugs to trend up a space and lend change without truly changing anything- you are merely rotating. (Rotating area rugs is better for them, anyways! You can regularly clean them as well as reduce wear and tear at the same time!).

Today I feel like writing about the most intimate and personal aspects of possessing talent as an interior designer- and that is making a home unique for each of my clients.

The word "unique"...its often so overused when talking about interior design. Because of that, I am going to refresh your memory on what the word "unique" truly means. As defined by the Oxford American Dictionary, "Unique" means: being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. Particularly remarkable, special or unusual. Belonging or connected to one particular person, group, or place.

To have a "unique" home is part of what every savvy home dweller strives for. Aside from comfort and function- we want to live in style! We want our homes to stand out, to be hospitable and welcoming, to be different than our friends and neighbors. We want our homes to feel good, look good and perform well (meaning, hold up through daily use!).

To me, more than anything else, the inteiror of a person's home reflects who they are. More than the clothes they wear, more than the car they drive, more than the zip code or city their home is located, and certainly more than their on-paper square footage. Yes- interiors are that powerful! To each and every person, whether they realize it or not,  home is the most important place in the world. Its the epicenter of their life. Home is important, it means something to everyone, and its so enjoyable to tailor a "unique" home for each of my clients.

One of the most important parts of my role as a residential interior designer takes place at the very beginning. When I am "programming" the project. I break this up into two stages- the first is to take into consideration the needs of the project- what has to be in the project, specific elements/changes my client wants, functional requirements, code issues, etc. In the second stage, I address the style direction. The questions I have asked my clients about their lifestyle- their values, recreational activities, careers, entertaining needs, their tastes and preferences, their view on quality- all of these things dictate what I like to call their specific "Style Formula".

Its not enough for me when a client says they want a "Transitional" interior. I don't want to give them a generic, "model home" form of Transitional. I want their Transitional design to mean something to them! Its all the nook and crannies about my clients that dictate how I will design and create a distinctive style within a style for them. Color palette, major design features and the casual v. formal ratio of a design is heavily rested on the insights I skillfully gather from my clients by asking the right questions and observing other aspects of their lifestyle and mannerisms.

Its at this stage that a unique home is starting to develop. Its unique because it stemmed directly from my client. I akin interior style to multiple people writing an essay on the same topic. In writing, the topic is the same- but the thoughts, punctuation, tone and writing style is different in each essay. Its the same with interiors. The "topic" may be Transitional interior design- but the thoughtfulness, accents, formality and distinctive style is different in each Transitional interior.

In further stages of the project, mostly when the decorative objects and art are being selected, even more individual style is realized (all derived from the Style Formula, that I worked out previously). I do this by using meaningful accessories in the form of collections, heirlooms, valued objects...I bring these things to the forefront and they accent the style direction just like a good handbag accents a nice outfit. And, most importantly, these unique aspects define a home, make it special, make it different...make it, undeniably, theirs.

J Steinberg Design is looking forward to providing seasonal and holiday style direction and decor for your 2008 festivities. Please schedule your appointments ahead of time, as this time of year gets crazy really fast!

We want your holiday backdrop to be a statement of your style and taste, warmly welcoming your guests, friends and family this holiday season. Get a head start on securing a consultation, where Janelle will collaborate with you on what you need, where to put it, where to get it and how to do it with true style and class!

 

It's important to plan ahead for a number of reasons:

1) to ensure an appointment and project time allotment during the hectic holiday season

2) timely order placement and lead-time consideration for custom designed goods

3) timely order placement and lead-time consideration for goods that need to be special ordered due to quantity, customization, and vendor stock & shipping issues

4) to ensure the largest selection of seasonal "goods-on-hand" from our valued trade resources

Seasonal and Holiday Design & Decor Services:

Style, Theme and Design Direction/Development
Interior & Exterior Fresh Wreaths and Garlands
Holiday Floral Arrangements
Themed Christmas Trees
Tablescapes and Centerpieces
Custom table runners, tablecloths, place mats and napkins
Holiday China, Silver, Stemware and Service Pieces
Holiday and Seasonal Accessories
Purchasing
Delivery, Installation and Set-up
Take-down and Storage Arrangements

Suggested Time-line:

Autumn: Call us now for mid-September install
Thanksgiving: Call us late September for early November install
Hanukkah, sundown 12-21-08: Call us mid-October for early-mid December install
Christmas: call us mid-September for install before 11-27-08
call us late September for 12-01-08 or later install
New Years: call us mid-November for install the week of 12-29-08
Winter: call us late October for a post 1-01-09 install

 

top photo courtesy of my favorite mail-order holiday vendor: Frontgate
second photo courtesy of my go-to source for replacing fine china: Replacements

We are happy to announce the completion of our second commercial project! The renovation of executive business park bathrooms in Orange County, California was a fun and exciting opportunity for JSD. Since our specialty and project list consists of nearly all residential design, it was a delight to mix it up with a commercial project!

For this project, it was important to update the spaces using practical, yet upmarket finishes that are appropriate for commercial application. Porcelain tiles, natural stone counter tops, a custom selected paint palette, architectural details, new custom color partitions, new plumbing appliances, and a new lighting plan with updated lighting fixtures transformed the space. We are so happy that the client and building tenants are enjoying the redesign!