Christmas is almost here, which means house guests will soon be arriving as well. If you’re hosting family or friends this year, make the most of their stay and alleviate your stress by being prepared. Here are tips for designing a guest room that makes guests comfortable and welcomes them in style!
Clear the Clutter. Your guests will need room to place their things, from clothing and shoes to jewelry and toiletries. Clear countertops and floor space, empty dresser drawers if possible or provide a luggage rack if space is available.
Remember the Essentials. A lamp to read by, a motion-sensing night light, a hand mirror and an alarm clock are all nice touches. Not everyone needs them, but guests will appreciate the thought and courtesy.
Stay a Spell. The best way to find out what a room needs is to spend time in it. Read a book, watch TV and lie down on the bed to view the room from the same vantage point your guests will experience. You’ll quickly discover anything needed, from further cleaning to new light bulbs or batteries.
Freshen Your Linens. Clean sheets, extra blankets, pillows and towels are the most basic needs of any house guest. Launder them close to your guest’s arrival and you’ll also freshen your home without using allergy-causing air fresheners, candles or potpourri.
Don’t Leave Them Hanging. Purchase an inexpensive over-the-door hook and hangers that can provide storage for hanging clothes. An extra hook in the bathroom is also appreciated for guest towels and robes.
Provide Toiletries. Few things are more appreciated by guests in a hotel room than complimentary toiletries and the same is true for guests in your home. Items are often forgotten in the rush of holiday packing and your guests will be extremely grateful to find you’ve provided for them. A small basket filled with sample-sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion and similar items is a welcomed gift by any house guest.
How many people does it take to hang a slab of quartzite on the wall? It sounds like a joke, but it’s actually no laughing matter and was recently all in a day’s work. But how did we end up using quartzite art in the first place? We blame the nature of art, and possibly Pablo Picasso.
Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” A beautiful sentiment, but no simple task! Few things are more personal or challenging to select than art – especially when choosing for another.
Many factors must be considered when selecting artwork for a client, from the client’s tastes and desires to the room’s style and design. And customary works of art often won’t do. Something bigger, grander and unusual is often required to fit the space and stir the soul.
This was the case recently when we designed the breakfast room of a stately Moroccan-inspired estate. The home was already striking, but our client wanted a fresh color scheme, an updated design and a “wow ” factor to every room. This had to be no ordinary breakfast room and no ordinary artwork would do!
Enter the slab of quartzite and the answer to the opening question. It takes thirteen men to hang a 1,200 pound slab of quartzite. Thirteen very strong, patient and competent men and one very nervous interior designer!
But first the wall must be prepped, brackets installed and anchored, scaffolding brought in and a special stone epoxy applied to further adhere the quartzite to the wall.
Next, the praying begins. Seriously. And the quartzite art is gently kissed by many of the men before they begin lifting and securing it to the wall. Deep breaths are taken, more prayers are said and finally sighs of relief can be heard, which are quickly replaced with inspired oohs and ahhs.
The slab is now secure and simply breathtaking. Our client is thrilled and so are we! And although there was dust throughout the room that day, we’re guessing Picasso would say our souls were spotless.
Christmas came early to BGI this year. We received the gift of a new team member: Linda Martinez!
Linda joined the BGI team this month and is our firm’s new Project Manager and Bookkeeper. But don’t worry, the rest of our team is still intact! A shifting in responsibilities was simply needed as our firm continues to grow.
Linda comes to us from San Antonio, Texas and recently moved to the Dallas area to be closer to her adult daughter who recently graduated from the University of North Texas. Linda has considerable experience as an office manager and bookkeeper, and will also be overseeing client orders and scheduling.
We already know she’s going to be a great asset to our firm and clients, and couldn’t be happier to have her as part of our team. Welcome Linda!
If you were to guess, where would you say air quality is the worst: outside, your work environment or your home? We recently became REGREEN certified and were shocked to learn the answer is your home. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air contains 2 to 5 times more contaminants than outdoor air and our homes are the worst offenders. This information is even more alarming considering the average American spends approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.
Perfumes, ducts, paints, carpets, adhesives, cleaners, flame retardants, formaldehyde and upholstery are just a few of the indoor air pollutants. Inadequate ventilation can also increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor pollutants. And high temperature and humidity levels can further worsen indoor air quality.
With asthma, autism and cancer rates dramatically increasing in recent years and evidence pointing towards air pollution as a factor, more and more focus is being placed on green construction and remodeling.
We recently became REGREEN Certified to better serve our clients. Now we’re trained in the principles of healthy and sustainable living and equipped to help you breathe easier in your own home. Here are just a few of the ways you can improve your indoor air quality.
The First Steps:
- Open windows as much as possible for air exchange.
- Add living plants, which filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to your home’s decor.
- Keep your home’s indoor humidity level between 30-50% with a dehumidifier to help control allergens.
- Paint with low or no VOC paints.
- Use eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaners.
- Use fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products.
- Do not use aerosol sprays including deodorants, hair sprays, carpet cleaners, furniture polish, and air fresheners.
- Minimize carpets and vacuum at least once a week.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Going Further:
- Install exhaust fans in your bathrooms for air exchange.
- Add a fresh air intake to your forced-air heating/cooling system’s ducting to allow fresh air to enter your home when you’re using exhaust fans.
- Replace carpeting with a non-absorptive type of flooring, such as wood, natural stone or bamboo.
- Select furniture and cabinetry made from green, nontoxic materials, such as urban salvage elm, recycled fir, FSC-certified plywood and formaldehyde-free medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
- Use formaldehyde-free insulation.
- Install a whole house fan system which brings stale indoor air upwards and out the top of the house through attic vents.
- Use a heat pump water heater to increase energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality due to moisture management.
Images: BGI Projects
If variety is the spice of life, interior design is one spicy profession! From transitional and traditional to contemporary and eclectic, no two design projects are ever the same. Change keeps us on our toes, but also makes us love our job all the more.
Recently, we selected all the finishes for a new construction, American Craftsman-style home that embraces all the ideals of the style: to live simply, be connected to nature and design with clean lines and hand-crafted wood, glass and metal works.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Arts and Crafts movement, it began in opposition to the Industrial Revolution, which transitioned hand production methods to machines. The speed of production was greatly increased, but the joy of traditional craftsmanship and artistry was being lost. Simply put, machines and assembly lines cost laborers the pleasure of overseeing their work from start to finish.
The Arts and Crafts movement focused on “revolution through art” and its values remain the same today: hand-crafted objects, clean lines, local natural materials, uncluttered home decor and a connection to the outdoors. Its architectural features also oppose the opulent Victorian aesthetic that was at its height of popularity when the Arts and Crafts movement began.
Craftsman-style homes usually have low-pitches roof lines, deeply overhanging eaves, tapered square columns supporting the roof, deep front porches and hand-crafted stone, glass and woodwork. Our clients love the inviting, simple elegance of the style and we loved designing their beautiful, one-of-a-kind home. Take a look at some of the details!
Warm hardwood floors, a brick archway and fireplace welcome you to the family room, and add natural elements to the home. A large wall of Craftsman-style windows with detailed window casings brings the outside in.
Rustic brick connects the family room to the kitchen. Cream-hued, natural stone countertops and white cabinetry keep the color palette simple, while crown molding and door casings adds artistic detail. Pendant lights continue the room’s clean lines.
A close-up of two hallmarks of a Craftsman-style home, handcrafted glass inserts in the upper kitchen cabinets and a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted metal range hood. Glass tiles in a chevron pattern create a simple, but elegant backsplash.
The mudroom, a popular luxury for families, is one of our favorite rooms in the house. The warm hue of the wood flooring and Craftsman-style door contrast beautifully with the white beadboard wall planks, built-in storage, door casing and moldings.
Finally, a family-friendly, outdoor living space adds another opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and provides sheltered, but open views to the home’s beautiful surroundings. The use of brick, hardwoods, window and door casings create a continuous flow from the outside in.
You might say we caught the green construction bug when we recently designed the Village Park Eco Home. But in reality, we simply saw the full value of sustainable healthy living and wanted the ability to offer all its options to our clients. So as designers, we recently completed the REGREEN Trained™ certificate program.
If a client wants to build, remodel or design with environmentally friendly products to improve air quality or simply wants to increase the efficiency of their home, we’re trained and up-to-date on the latest advancements in green construction. We’re also well-informed on how and where to source Eco-friendly materials and furnishings.
The REGREEN program was created through a partnership between the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Launched in March 2008, the REGREEN Residential Remodeling Guidelines address everything from water and energy efficiency to indoor air quality and Eco-friendly products.
Why REGREEN?
- Indoor levels of pollutants are often 2 to 5 times – and occasionally more than 100 times – higher than outdoor pollutant levels; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- The prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has increased by more than 75% since 1980; California Environmental Protection Agency.
- Children exposed to higher levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, acid vapor and elemental carbon had significantly lower lung function at age 18, an age when the lungs are nearly mature and lung function deficits are unlikely to be reversed; New England Journal of Medicine 2004.
- New research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests a link between air pollution early in life with Autism and Schizophrenia.
- Ozone and particle pollution are both linked to increased risk of lower birth weight in newborn; American Lung Association.
- Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of lung cancer; World Health Organization.
REGREEN principles include:
- Improved indoor air quality.
- The use of safe products and services, both to a building’s occupants and the environment.
- Sustainable use of natural resources.
- Waste reduction.
- Wise and efficient use of energy.
We’re excited to offer these options and this knowledge to our clients, no matter the size of a project. Whether simply selecting low or no VOC paints, sourcing a one-of-a-kind dining table made from reclaimed wood or constructing an entire home based on green construction principles, we’re ready!
School may be back in session, but the little ones are still at home and playtime is always important! We recently created a fun playroom with plenty of storage and space the kids could call their own. And our clients were able to reclaim some much desired adult space, free from toys and trip hazards.
Our clients have two precious children, a girl and a boy, so the room needed to appeal to both genders. Of course, when it comes to kids’ rooms, color rules. One of the easiest questions for any child to answer is, “What’s your favorite color?” They all have one! In this case, purple and green were the answers. Thankfully, the colors look great together.
We chose soothing shades of both purple and green and painted horizontal stripes on the walls to add a whimsical touch to the room. Although most children prefer bright, bold hues, these shades are NOT good choices for children’s rooms. Bright colors invigorate a space and those in it, and more energy is not something most parents think their children need!
Through my training to become a Dewey Color Specialist, I’ve learned that some colors can even lead to hyperactivity, while others soothe and enhance emotional well being. Color is everything in interior design, and selecting the right colors to create the desired mood is key to successful design.
Next, we added custom cabinetry with plenty of hidden storage to keep toys, books and games close at hand, but out-of-sight when desired. The cabinetry was also equipped to house media components to add to the room’s function and entertainment options as the children grow. And simple, French doors allow the children to be seen, but not necessarily heard.
Lastly, the kids’ toys were brought in and everyone was happy! The playroom is perfect for the family’s current needs, but this flex space can easily be transformed into a media, game, craft or exercise room as the children grow and the family’s needs change.
Image Source: Barbara Gilbert Interiors
We had an amazing night recently at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) 2014 Legacy of DesignAwards Celebration. Over 200 designers and industry professionals throughout the Texas Chapter attended the event and both the company and projects were inspiring!
From contemporary to traditional design, the projects were stunning and Legacy of Design Awards were given from a variety categories. We were thrilled to receive four of the prestigious awards! Not only were we honored to be recognized, but we loved calling our clients to tell them they had award-winning homes!
One of the designs also received a 2014 ARC Award from the Dallas Builders Association at a separate event three nights later. Sterling Brook Custom Homes received the ARC Award for Best Kitchen under $1 million for our kitchen design.
Here are the award-winning projects:
FIRST PLACE – Residence Under 3,500 Square Feet
&
Best Kitchen under $1 Million ARC Award
FIRST PLACE – Traditional Living Room
FIRST PLACE – Contemporary Living Room
SECOND PLACE – Contemporary Singular Space
We couldn’t be happier and want to thank ALL our clients for making our designs possible!
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a furniture store feeling confused, overwhelmed and frustrated? You’re not alone!
Selecting the right furniture for your home from row after row of furniture options is a daunting task for almost everyone. But you don’t have to, nor should you, shop for furniture that way!
Custom Furniture Design in Dallas
Interior designers offer a professional assessment of your home and your furniture needs, from style to color to size. And clients have access to exclusive, custom lines of furnishings unavailable to the general public. Custom furniture lines also help create a home or business that reflects your unique style, and all without stepping foot in a furniture store!
Can custom furniture design in Dallas save me money?
Barbara Gilbert is a founder and managing partner of Dallas DesignWorks, an interior design cooperative created in 2010 to pool the buying power of multiple designers. Through Dallas DesignWorks, our clients have access to exclusive, custom lines of furnishings and fabrics at furniture store prices.
We assist you in selecting and purchasing everything you need to complete your interior design project and help you avoid costly mistakes, plus save you time and money!
Custom Furniture Delivery and Installation
Interior designers also oversee delivery and installation of your purchases. Upon delivery to a receiving warehouse, your purchases are inspected to make sure they are blemish free prior to being delivered to your home or business.
Designers then oversee the complete installation of all purchases, taking the guess work out of furniture arrangement. And that beats furniture shopping anytime!
It’s often said the kitchen is the heart of the home. That’s because it’s a favorite gathering place of family and friends, and it’s often the first room prospective homebuyers consider when evaluating a home.
Is the kitchen functional? Does it have a fresh look or an outdated one? Is it dark or light and airy? More importantly, does it reflect your individual style right now? Seasons change and so do your lifestyle needs.
A remodel can be a drastic or small change. What the room needs and what the owner wants—new cabinets, tile or even a fresh color or motif—should be a mixture for a great remodel. Remodels require close attention to detail, and your lifestyle needs, design style, wish list and budget should all be considered.
If you’re planning a remodel or building a new home, we can create the kitchen of your dreams. Your makeover can be customized and inspiration is part of our job. We have extensive experience with kitchen design and many of our remodels are featured in the Pro Galleries of HGTVRemodels. We also stay up-to-date on the latest advances in appliances from steam ovens to flash freeze freezers.
Having a fresh and updated kitchen is essential to maintaining your home’s value and your happiness with your home. Whether you choose a classic or modern style kitchen, a makeover can transform how you view and use the most important room in the house.
Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors