Our Blog Archives - Page 6 of 10

We recently returned from High Point Market, where we walked around like kids at Christmas with saucer-sized eyes as we took in the beautiful displays.
High Point, the world’s largest home furnishings market, features the latest furniture trends and accessories in interior design. We noticed many interior design trends emerging and here are just a few of our favorites!

Gold

gold interior design trends
After years of silver and chrome, gold is making a triumphant return. Regal, warm and glamorous, gold adds instant elegance and splendor to any room. And gold accessories are the easiest and least expensive way to jump on the gold bandwagon. We love this colorful arrangement. Blue and yellow are complimentary colors, which makes the pairing perfect for maximizing gold’s impact.

Two-Toned Furniture

two-toned furniture interor design trends
Two-toned furniture is another current interior design trend. The effect adds contrast and interest to even the simplest of pieces, yet this chest’s “wow” factor is taken to another level with the addition of gold hardware. The chest becomes a statement piece that artfully blends beauty with function.

Moroccan Motifs

Moroccan interior design trends
Moroccan motifs have been on-trend for the past few years and the style is still going strong. Exotic and intricately styled, Moroccan motifs in home furnishings beg the question, “When does furniture become a work of art?” This table is almost too stunning to eat on, but we could force ourselves!

White

white furniture interior design trends
Like gold, white is one of this year’s hottest hues and we expect this trend to continue for years to come. Pure, pristine and chic, white furnishings brighten any room and they work with any color palette. And while white upholstery is not always the wisest choice, hard materials like wood or metal finished in white can withstand a house full of kids!
Are you happy about the new trends? Which one is your favorite?

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!

REGREEN_TRAINED_MARK_FINAL-e1322350356502-730x285
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.

Bamboo Countertops

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.

Oak Flooring

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.
Craftsman Home
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!
Craftsman Living Room
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.
Craftsman Kitchen
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.
Craftsman Mudroom
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.
Craftsman Outdoor Living
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.

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.
Striped walls
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.
Playroom with Piano (683x1024)
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

Project Information

FIRST PLACE – Traditional Living Room

Project Information

FIRST PLACE – Contemporary Living Room

Project Information

SECOND PLACE – Contemporary Singular Space

Project Information

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

Every once in a while, you get the chance to check off an item on your bucket list and this summer was my chance. Having Italian roots, I’ve always wanted to tour the Amalfi Coast and the Mediterranean. So my husband and I took the term “carpe diem” to heart and made it happen aboard a cruise ship.

Envisioning the trip, I knew I’d be stepping back in time – touring ancient relics and seeing amazing works of art. But I didn’t know I’d have the opportunity to witness history in action. In this case, the ancient art of silk rug production.
As an interior designer, I don’t know how many times I’ve brushed my hand across the fibers of a silk rug or admired its sheen, but I had no idea the silk production process is even more intricate than the rugs themselves!

The History of Silk Production

While in Turkey, I got to witness first-hand the harvesting of silk from the cocoons of silk worms.
Silk Worm Coccoons
I was intrigued to learn silk production began in China and the Chinese kept the secret of silk to themselves for over 2,000 years. Evidence of silk production dates back as far as 3000 BC, but the practice is believed to be far older.
Sericulture (silk farming) reached Korea around 200 BC when waves of Chinese immigrants arrived there. It was then only a matter of time before the practice spread westward.

Silk Production

To produce silk, the cocoons of silk worms are heated and then dipped into hot water to loosen the tightly woven filaments.
silk coccoon unwinding
The cocoons are then unwound into single fibers, which are spun into thread. The threads can then be dyed and have an elegant luster.
Silk production
But don’t confuse elegance for weakness. It’s estimated that if a fiber of silk could be produced with the diameter of a pencil, the fiber could lift a 747 aircraft!
silk weaving
Once the threads are dyed, skilled artisans weave the threads by hand into intricate designs and patterns. The end result is nothing short of stunning!

Characteristics of Silk Rugs

Rugs crafted from silk are valued for their durability, rich colors and distinctive luster. They’re also soft with a sheer velvet feel. But silk is expensive, difficult to clean and can show footprints, so it’s often mixed with other fibers, like wool, when creating a rug to increase durability and lower cost.
A silk blend rug can offer the best of both worlds: beauty and durability. And when decorating, they can transform any living space!
By the way, we absolutely loved our trip. We both love to travel and experience different cultures, we’re dreaming of our next adventure!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

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!

Custom Fabrics at Barbara Gilbert Interiors

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.

Custom Furniture Lines

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!

Dallas Interior Designers

When you work in a metropolitan area with a population of over 6.7 million people, professional competition is going to be fierce! And the Dallas Metroplex is no exception, especially in the field of interior design.

Top Ten Dallas Interior Designers

ttdlogo6a That’s why we were not only tremendously honored, but ecstatic at being named a Dallas Top Ten design firm! TopTenDallas.com is the #1 website featuring the “best of” everything in Dallas, from realtors to doctors to designers. The agency showcases the Top 10 firms or professionals in a variety of fields, chosen by peer nomination or private invitation.
You can see the interior design listing and profiles at TopTenDallas.com, but what does it mean to be a Top Ten Dallas Designer?

Why hire a Top Ten Dallas Interior Designer?

Interior designers can save you money by helping you avoid costly mistakes.
Interior designers can help you spend your money more efficiently by repurposing items and eliminating unnecessary ones.
Designers can keep you on budget and save you time.
Designers have access to merchandise and resources not available to the general public.
Designers have a network of reliable and qualified contractors, plumbers and electricians.
Professional design can increase the value of your home.
And being recognized as a “Dallas Top Ten” means you’re getting the best!

Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

When it comes to choosing bedding for a client’s home, there are numerous details that come into play. In truth, only the designer and workroom that creates the bedding know how much time and effort goes into the process, but here’s a taste of what’s involved.

Bedroom Interior Design – Beginning the custom bedding process.

The first step in creating custom bedding is determining the client’s style and needs. Preferred colors, patterns and finishes are all considered. For example, are extravagant trims desired or a less complicated design, such as self welts and fabric flange which are more popular today.

Bedroom Interior Design – How is the fabric selected?

Next, the fabric must be selected while considering the room’s other elements and client’s desires. In the case above, we absolutely fell in love with the coverlet fabric and it became our source of inspiration. Usually, fabrics for the duvet cover, shams, toss pillows and dust ruffle are selected from several different companies in order to create the perfect palette. And patterns at different scales as well as solids are selected to create a pleasing ensemble for your bedroom interior design project.

Bedroom Interior Design – Creating the design.

After selecting the fabrics, the design of the actual bedding begins! We team up with the workroom to lay everything out and select final trims keeping in mind that simple, transitional design is timeless.
In a recent design, we used the solid fabrics to create trims and flange on the pillows and coverlet edge while selecting one very unique trim for a small detail on the throw pillows. Because flange tends to fall over when on pillows, we had crinoline put inside the flange to prevent this. Just a small detail that makes a huge difference!
Of course, a room’s existing décor and furnishings are a factor in the design. In the project below, the chair, bench, window treatments and canopy were all already present, and we were able to find fabrics for the bedding that correlated perfectly!

Now that the design and fabrics have been selected, we can order all the needed materials. Unfortunately, back orders due to shortages in stock can occur and another fabric must be selected. This is always frustrating since we have already found the perfect fabric for the project! But, there is always a good alternative.

Dallas Interior Design Team… Off to the workroom!

Once the workroom receives all the materials, the work begins right away. And once done, the final product is always beautiful and something the client can call uniquely theirs!

I have to say, working on the projects pictured above made me have quite a bit of bedding envy!