Our Blog Archives - Page 3 of 10

Art and accessories may make a home look beautiful, but they do little to help us with everyday tasks. That’s where home appliances come in. And with today’s technologies and finishes, they’re looking quite dazzling on their own!
I had the privilege recently of attending the Jenn-Air Designer Forum at the World of Whirlpool in Chicago. Design specialists from around the country were invited and treated to a visit to the Windy City to explore the latest in home appliance technologies.
The World of Whirlpool facility is a showstopper in itself. The 30,000-square-foot facility is located in the penthouse of the historic Reid-Murdoch Building in downtown Chicago.

The Chicago landmark was built in 1914 and once used as a makeshift hospital after the S.S. Eastland capsized in the Chicago River on the opposite shore. It also contains 12 state-of-the-art demonstration kitchens, interactive laundry showrooms and innovative meeting spaces.
For two days, experts from the world’s leading appliance brands shared their knowledge and educated us on the latest in home appliances. All of the products showcased were extraordinary, but of course I have my favorites and want to share them!

Black Stainless Steel

Can’t decide between black or stainless steel kitchen appliances? Now you don’t have to choose. You can have both with KitchenAid’s black stainless steel!
KitchenAid has introduced the first-ever black stainless steel finish in the appliance industry, and it is stunning! The finish has all the same material qualities as stainless steel, but in a warmer tone. Plus, it hides fingerprints and other marks! I love using contrasting colors in kitchen designs, and this finish offers so many new and exciting options.

Steam & Convection Oven

Steam and convection ovens are one of the hottest (no pun intended) trends in appliances, and for good reason. Steam preserves nutrients in vegetables and tenderness in meats, while convection heating cooks food more evenly and quickly. Combining the two results in healthier, better cooking – food that’s tender inside and roasted or crisped outside
To showcase the oven’s abilities, the Jenn-Air chef cooked salmon and creme brûlée at the same time. There was absolutely NO flavor transfer and both were delicious! The ovens are so popular, many of our clients are choosing to omit a microwave from their kitchens and rely solely on a steam and convection oven instead.

Induction Cooktop

Another appliance heating up the marketplace is the Jenn-Air induction cooktop. Induction cooking heats the cookware, rather than the surface of the cooktop, through magnetic induction. This keeps the surface of the cooktop cool to the touch and easily cleaned. Induction cooktops are also extremely energy efficient, offer precise temperature control and heat up more quickly than a traditional gas or electric cooktop.
As an added bonus, a dishwasher-safe silicone pad can be placed on top of the cooktop, between the cooktop and cookware while cooking. The pad can then be thrown into the dishwasher after cooking for super easy clean up! Four of our clients have already chosen to substitute an induction cooktop for an electric range, and all have raved about them.

The Food!

Of course, the trip wasn’t all work and no play. While showcases the appliances and their abilities, chefs prepared some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.
The “broken cone” dessert was without a doubt my favorite! Homemade vanilla ice cream with salted caramel and chocolate pieces was served with broken cone pieces with a hint of peanut butter to scoop up the deliciousness. I literally could have licked the plate!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors and Jenn-Air.

We had an amazing night recently at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Awards Celebration. Industry designers and professionals from throughout the Texas Chapter gathered to recognize the best of the best, and we were thrilled to receive five of the prestigious awards!
From contemporary to traditional design, Legacy of Design Awards were given from a variety categories and the projects were simply stunning. We were inspired by all the designs, and extremely honored to be recognized. In fact, the only thing more exciting than the celebration was calling our clients to tell them they had award-winning homes!

2015 ASID Legacy of Design Awards

We couldn’t be happier, and want to thank ALL our clients for making our designs possible!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Do you want to know how to arrange your furniture to optimize socializing with friends and family?

Or how to give old furniture new life, and add texture to a room to boost visual interest?

Interior Design Tips & Tricks

Professional interior designers use tried-and-true tips and tricks every day, and you can, too! Our free 10 Interior Design Tips & Tricks Guide offers simple and practical ways to add more style to your home, and make the most of your existing furniture and decor!
Just provide us your email address by subscribing to our monthly Barbara Gilbert Interiors Newsletter, and you can download our Ebook with 10 professional interior design tips for FREE!
You can also sign up through the Barbara Gilbert Interiors Facebook page, where we routinely post updates on our projects and showcase the latest in design news!
We understand your home is the backdrop of your life! And we want to help you make your home as beautiful and comfortable as possible.
Subscribe today, because life is better when we’re inspired by our surroundings!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

School is almost back in session, and soon gym shoes and backpacks will replace flip-flops and sunscreen. But don’t let the hectic pace of the school year take the fun out of this exciting time! An organized home helps cut the stress and provides more time for the activities your family enjoys. Here are three back to school organization tips to help you tackle the school year and get the most out of each day.

Create a Homework Station

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Homework is easier to start and do if everything needed is close at hand. Decide on the best location in your home for a homework station and maximize the space for efficiency. Choose a table or desk with sufficient work space, clear the area and add adequate lighting. Organize homework essentials, like pens, pencils, erasers and other tools into nearby bins. Remember, if your kids can see the supplies, they’re less likely to ask you to help them find them! Visible bins work better than drawers.

Create a Command Central

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Create a family communication center to keep track of each family member’s activities. A family bulletin board that includes a family calendar, space for school handouts, phone messages and invitations works great. Consider color coding your family calendar by assigning each family member a color. Mount the board over a console table or bench, add baskets or bins for each person’s belongings, and you’ve got a family command center.

Create an Exit Station

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It’s hard to forget things when they’re routinely organized and displayed. And a full-size mudroom is not required. Create a simple system by the door to help you remember special items you and your kids need to take with you each day: homework, keys, lunches, backpacks, jackets, etc. You can also hang or place a bin or basket by the door to hold the items each person needs to remember that day.
Happy organizing!

Source of Images: Houzz.com

A quiet revolution is underway, but this often overlooked revolution is producing big results. In fact, some people are calling it the most exciting change in lighting since Thomas Edison introduced the light bulb over 130 years ago!
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are transforming the lighting industry, and are expected to change the way we light our world. LEDs use at least 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs, last more than 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, contain no mercury and produce very little heat. They also emit virtually no UV or infrared radiation, and they gradually fade out over a long period of time rather than burning out all at once.
Recent advances in technology have also greatly altered LEDs. The diodes’ once cold, bluish light has been replaced by any color and temperature of light desired. A soft yellow light similar to incandescent lighting is achieved with a low Kelvin color temperature. Manufacturing costs are steadily decreasing, and LEDs are now available in countless forms, from bulbs and light tubes to light strings and strips.
Flexible and easy to install, new applications for LEDs are constantly emerging. The end result is safer, more energy efficient and more dramatic designs and interiors. Here are just a few ways we’ve recently used LED lighting and some ideas for your home. Join the revolution!

LED Lighting Projects

LEDs highlight reclaimed timber beams on the ceiling in this family room, and cast a soft light from above. The modern and rustic elements blend beautifully, adding warmth and visual depth to the space.

A built-in bookcase becomes anything but ordinary with the installation of a metallic grasscloth wallcovering and LED accent lighting. The LED lighting gleams off the grasscloth and showcases a variety of personal treasures.

LED lighting, placed under the cabinets at the toe kick, provides a nightlight effect in this serene master bath. An additional LED at the height of the architectural arch adds impact and further task lighting.

A dark cork wallcovering is illuminated by LED accent lights, creating the perfect backdrop for white accessories and built-in shelves.

LED lighting in all the right places gives this contemporary kitchen a light and airy atmosphere. The lights illuminate the glass uppers and accent tile over the cooktop for a dramatic effect. The cabinets and toe kick are also lighted, but from beneath, to add safety and task lighting to improve function.

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

We usually wait to unveil our projects after they’re complete, but sometimes we just can’t wait to share the details! Our design for a chic colorful media & gameroom is underway, and we love how it’s progressing.

We recently installed the backsplash and wall art for the room’s kitchenette – a complete wall of custom linear glass tiles. The bold colors and scale of the design create a unique statement piece that adds excitement to this fun room. Neutral furnishings and eye-catching accessories will balance the tiles’ vibrant hues, and there’s so much more to come!
Here’s a sneak peak at more of the room’s design, from the color palette to the furnishings.
A neutral gray and rich navy blue will serve as the room’s primary colors, while accent hues will include teal, denim, orange and kiwi green. These colors will create a modern, sophisticated palette with pops of exuberance.
A large gray-upholstered sectional, with separate components allowing different configurations, will provide comfortable, stylish seating. A navy faux leather ottoman trimmed in nickel nail head and a steel-based sofa table are just two of the room’s unique accent pieces.

Accessories in shades of orange, white and silver will continue the room’s color scheme, and provide a variety of textures and shapes to attract the eye.

Dark espresso shelves, a fabulous built-in circular bench for use on game night, custom rug and blackout window shades will complete the space.
We can’t wait to see the room completed, and will share more details soon!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

What’s the difference between good design and great design? Details! From trims and finishes, to accents and accessories, it’s the details that bring designs to life and make interiors unique. And thanks to custom design options, the only limit to design details is your imagination.
We love thinking outside the box and putting our own unique spin on projects – that little something extra that takes a design from good, to great! Here are a few of our favorite projects and the details that bring the wow factor.

Painted Ottoman Legs

A custom upholstered ottoman gets a pop of color with red-painted legs, and unifies the room’s color scheme. Complementary shades of red are repeated in the art work and client’s existing armchairs to create a warm and family-friendly library.

Concealed Outlet

An electrical outlet goes undercover to prevent any interruption in the pattern of this beautiful wallcovering. All eyes remain on the coral trellis pattern, adding chic energy to a sophisticated home study.

Grasscloth & LED Lighting

A built-in bookcase becomes a showpiece when painted an elegant shade of blue-grey and backed with a metallic grasscloth wallcovering. LED accent lighting gleams off the grasscloth, adding to the effect, and showcases personal treasures acquired from our client’s travels.

Wood Projection Tiles

Wood projection tiles transform a fireplace mantle into anything but typical. Sitting center stage, the family room television offers optimal views from all directions, but virtually disappears against the tile backdrop due to shared dark hues.

Swarovski Crystal Knobs

Swarovski crystal knobs adorn glazed cabinetry in a master bathroom to reflect our client’s personal style. The glamorous accents match the room’s chandelier (not pictured), adding further feminine panache.

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Color – we love it! From the way it makes you feel, to the way it brightens a room, color has the power to transform. And one of our favorite things to do is create color schemes for our clients.
We always feel like kids in a candy store when we enter our in-house resource room.

Resource Room

With countless samples of fabric, wallpaper, tile, rugs and furniture finishes, the design options are endless. Each project is as unique as the beautiful fabrics we use to create one-of-a-kind color schemes and designs.
Here’s a sneak peek of what we’ve been up to lately. We can’t wait to see the designs come to life!

Chic Family Room

Chartreuse, Violet & Blue

Sophisticated Master Bedroom

Chocolate, Pewter & Citron

Multiple Room Color Schemes

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Teal, Apple Green, Sunset Orange, Indigo & Platinum

Intrigued? There’s much more to come, and we’ll reveal more soon!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

The Interior Design Society (IDS) recently celebrated their fifth annual Designer of the Year Award winners, and awarded Barbara Gilbert Interiors (BGI) first place honors in both the Kitchens and Sustainable Design categories.
BGI received both awards for the Village Park Eco Home project – a contemporary hill country style home built to answer the question, “What’s next in high-performance home construction?” The net zero energy ready home was built with sustainable and recycled materials resulting in high style with minimal impact to the environment.

1st Place – Kitchens $50,000 & Above

The 3,752 square foot home features advanced framing and insulation techniques, LED lighting, a rainwater collection system, custom formaldahyde-free cabinets, “standing dead” Red Oak floors, numerous sustainable and recycled materials such as glass, bamboo and cork, and over 23 paint colors.
Award winners were selected by a panel of notable judges that included Deb Barrett, Mitzi Beach, Leslie Carothers, Patti Carpenter, Tobi Fairley, Susan Inglis, Joe Ruggiero, Barbara Viteri, Jackie Von Tobel, and Amy Wax.

1st Place – Sustainable Design

“IDS is proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Designer of the Year Awards, which received a record number of entries this year,” said Snoa Garrigan, IDS Executive Director. IDS is one of the country’s largest design organizations in the residential interior design industry.
A complete listing of all winners and award-winning projects can be viewed on the IDS website.

 Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Curb appeal – that elusive term used to describe an eye-catching exterior. You either have it or you don’t. But the good news is, it’s easier to obtain than you may think! With a little creativity, time and a modest budget, ho-hum can become charming in five steps.

1) Beautify the Front Door

The entry to your home is the focal point of its curb appeal. It deserves special attention. Paint your door a beautiful hue that contrasts with the home’s façade. Vibrant shades of red, blue and yellow are bold choices that work well. Elegant black is another popular choice. Or if your budget allows, install a custom wood or iron door. A festive wreath or swag can also be added for further impact.

2) Create Symmetry

Symmetry is pleasing to the eye and simple to arrange. Symmetrical light fixtures and front-door accents welcome guests and draw attention to entryways. Install light fixtures, place identical planters with trailing ivy or position a rocking chair on either side of the door depending on the space available. The options are nearly endless as long as symmetry is created.

3) Replace Old Hardware

Address numbers, mailboxes, door knobs and knockers add style and interest to your home’s exterior, but not if they’re out of date or dingy. Satin nickel is a popular finish for today’s contemporary homes, while aged bronze remains popular for more traditional styles.

4) Tend Your Garden

Add color to your home with flower beds or create an instant garden with containers. Garden containers add color and texture to your home’s exterior. Ready-made containers are available from garden centers or you create your own with your favorite plants.

5) Add a Decorative Accent

Shutters, window boxes, arbors, garden gates and decorative fence panels all instantly enhance a home’s curb appeal. Choose one or two of these options to add to your home. Cozy accents make a home feel warm and inviting, and set it apart from the norm. These items can be purchased ready to be installed, in easy-to-build kits or prefab sections that require simple assembly.