creating a color scheme:

• Notice the permanent features such as flooring, exposed beams, stone and brick. Take these hues and colors into consideration as you begin planning

• Start with the entry, dining room, living room and any small spaces like the coat closet or powder room. These rooms often leave lasting impressions on the visitors so be bold and let your unique personality shine! Pull one color from the bold scheme and use it as an accent color in the more neutral areas of the home like the den or bedroom

• Dress your rooms in colors that flatter you and look to your wardrobe for inspiration

• Tone down your favorite colors for an elegant and sophisticated style. You can do so by either going lighter or darker but make sure there is an undertone of gray!

• Consider the big picture and pay attention to the adjacent rooms. Refer to the darkest color on the paint strip to discover the undertones. The colors in your scheme should all compliment each other for a cohesive and sophisticated result

• If selecting multiple colors for one room, choose the boldest first. It’ll be easier to find complimentary neutrals once you decide on the star of the show!

• Select colors from the largest pattern in the space. We love to use this method to pull out subtle colors you might miss otherwise from busy fabric patterns and rugs

• Use the 60-30-10 rule for balance with a bit of pop. The walls will be your dominant component, the upholstery and in some cases the window treatments your secondary, and the accent color should only be present in a few of the accessories in the space

• Limiting your palette to just three colors is a can’t miss strategy that allows the space room to grow overtime. If you’re struggling, but eager to get going, use this rule as a solid foundation

• For an interior space that replicates our outside world decorate from dark to light vertically 

• For a sophisticated neutral look with plenty of interest mix cool and warm hues in a space

• Consider adding a bit of black to every room to clarify the room’s other colors and create a little contrast and drama

Organization is a practice not a project:

While organization is ongoing work, the increase in productivity and time saved is well worth the effort. Don’t let the process overwhelm you! We’ve compiled our best kitchen organization advice along with some of the prettiest storage solutions out there to get you started on a journey to a beautifully organized kitchen!

Kitchen Wares as Decor:

We absolutely love using beloved kitchen wares as authentic decor. Wooden spoons, cutting boards and cast irons provide a great texture. Hang them on available wallspace making sure they are easy to remove when needed. We love a little marriage between aesthetics and practicality!

Cooking Caddy:

If you cook often, having some of your essentials out can make the process just a bit smoother. Opt for nice refillable glass oil bottles, pepper and salt grinders. This allows you to buy items you use often in bulk and saving a bit more packaging from ending up in the landfill. Consolidate them to a tray or caddy near the stove. 

Coffee Station:

Designate a small space to all the things you need for your morning coffee. A tray or even a wooden or stone cutting board will work. Look for containers you like looking at all the time that also compliment the look of your kitchen for things like coffee, sugar and other essentials; even a special little carafe for cream or milk can be fun!

Behind Closed Doors:

Although kitchen cabinets can provide what feels like a safe space for clutter and mess, we recommend you take the time to keep even the hidden places organized. Making sure things are easy to see and keep track of will save you money and space in the long run by keeping you from buying and potentially wasting items you may already have in your pantry. An organized kitchen also means no scrambling beforehand to find all the tools and ingredients you need to impulsively bake that batch of cookies!

Making more cabinet space should be one of the first things you tackle. We recommend taking everything out of the cabinets, assessing, and returning only what you need and use. Take this time to really inventory and consider all of the things you need on a daily basis. Sort things by category and find dedicated containers for them.

Things to purge or donate:

• Stained plastic containers/ ones missing lids

• Mismatched dishes/ dishes you don't need

• Old food from the pantry

• Small kitchen appliances and gadgets you never use

Things to gather:

• Large ceramic or glass storage containers for things you want to keep on the counter (coffee, flour, sugar)

• Wooden or metal trays to organize smaller things you may want out ( oil, salt, pepper)

• Baskets and bins to keep things like pasta boxes and canned goods together for easy access

• Consider purchasing more essentials in jars which can later be repurposed into storage for food and various other small bits. Less waste in landfills and a cuter home!

As promised, we’ve narrowed it down to three of our favorite places to shop for storage baskets and thoughtfully crafted kitchen accessories:

• STUDIO MCGEE

• AMBER INTERIORS

• JEFFAN

For Remodel/New construction:

If you’re just starting to put together the components of your kitchen we recommend consulting a designer to help ensure everything is in the right place and you’re making the best use of the space available to you. Thinking through all your daily rituals can feel daunting, but it's a necessary part of the process. Here are a few things we’ve reccomended to new build and kitchen renovation clients:

1. Integrate appliances into your kitchen island to save space

2. A pull-out chopping board in one or multiple drawers as a clever space saving element

3. Deep drawer or kitchen cabinet roll-out. A small investment here will make your life much easier

4. Consider the triangle kitchen rule and make sure the proximity is workable (The biggest mistake we see in kitchens is the overall layout and too much space between important working elements of the kitchen)

5. Don’t forget a cabinet for trash and recycling!

Inexpensive cabinet organization hacks the vast internet world had to offer:

1. A short tension rod under the sink to hang dish gloves, spray bottles, wet rags and maybe even a roll of paper towels ( if you're like us and making an effort to use them less )

2. Standard closet organizing racks can be cut to size and installed inside the cabinet for a canned goods shelf. Installing the shelf at an angle pointing down towards the front of the cabinet will give you greater visibility and once again reduce waste and double purchasing. 

3. A metal file organizer can be the perfect inexpensive solution for storing your baking sheets, cutting boards and pot lids. Flip that baby on its side and you’re good to go! Bonus points if you already own one or can find one at the thrift store or a yard sale!

4. Thumbtack an empty tissue box to the inside of your cabinet for a free grocery bag or clean rag storage solution. Quick and easy!

Let us know if you found these tips helpful and don’t hesitate to reach out with any topics you’d like for us to cover in future posts!

FINDING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN A SEA OF STYLE QUIZZES:

There are so many interior design style quizzes out there. Some based on your selections from a curated set of images, and others relying on information gathered from things like your astrological sign. Unfortunately, more often than not the results of these quizzes jam participants into a category which doesn't ever quite feel right; leaving us less than satisfied. Our homes are generally melting pots of various styles, and it can be hard to know exactly how to articulate their uniqueness. The key to a cohesive interior is consistency from the front door in. This is why it's so important to identify the common threads in the items that speak to you. Aiming to replicate and incorporate those common threads is an almost foolproof way to create a good mix of styles and influences. Regardless of where you are on your interior design style discovery journey, we think these tips will help you define your individual style.

TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR CURRENT DECOR:

Design is deeply rooted in psychology, as a result, we may sometimes have a physical response to something in our visual environment. These responses are often subtle so paying attention is the key. If something about the room doesn't feel right, step back and try to identify it. Scale and color are some of the most common elements of design to elicit a physical response, but everyone's a little different. Here are some things to consider:

• Look for drastic height and width differences in elements around the room

• Notice the colors you are most drawn to. Are the colors catching your attention exciting or distracting?

• Does anything feel too full or not full enough? 

• Is there anything in particular that bothers you about what you see? How can you fix/change it?

• Note your most and least favorite design elements and any similarities between them

• We always recommend stripping a room to its essentials and slowly bringing items back in. Only bring in items you love to help you determine what gaps and needs are present

LOOK TO YOUR WARDROBE:

Our personal style is often the most apparent in our wardrobes and it makes total sense! Our bodies interact with the world on a daily basis, and we dress them accordingly. This is a good place to look for your style priorities. If you’re someone who doesn't care much about how they present themselves, you’re still making a fashion statement. On the flip side, you may be someone who is willing to make sacrifices for a fashion statement. There's nothing wrong with prioritizing comfort over style or aesthetics over practicality, but it will only work as an interior design strategy if it's true to who you really are. Ask yourself these questions:

• What colors and textures you are drawn to in clothing?

• Are your color choices shade specific? If so, identify similarities

• Are you someone who prefers a pattern?

• What pieces in your closet feel most like a representation of you? What specifically about them do you identify with? (Fit, feel, color, practicality, etc.)

PAY ATTENTION TO EXTERIORS AND REGIONS:

We often recommend that our clients pay some respects to the era in which their home was constructed and the region in which the architectural style originated. Doing so can be done in many ways and is intended to highlight the architectural features of the home; producing an overall feeling of effortlessness in the design scheme. This is especially true when applied to the large scale pieces you don't plan changing as often. Identifying which home exteriors make your heart pound will help you narrow down your design style. Take inventory as you go about your day and keep an eye out for any patterns in your preferences

• Notice the lines, colors and general regions of the architecture. See what similarities come up and be open to exploring them further

• Look up the design trends during the year your home was built or pictures of the place where the architectural style originated and see what you find. Chances are you were drawn to the house you live in now for reasons which may not have been evident to you before 

Now that you’ve done a little soul searching, and hopefully note taking, the fun begins! It’s time to put what you learned into action. This can be experimentation through moving things around in your home or simply a future planning activity where you create a mood board showcasing your favorite elements. Your approach should be focused around your specific priorities and the function the space will ultimately serve. Remember that there is nothing wrong with taking your sweet time. Once you have a list of preferences, we recommend learning about what each style category embodies. Here is a great blog post with brief descriptions of each style to help you narrow it down. 

And just like that instead of defining your personal style with a statement like “Oh I don't know, it's just a mix of things.” you can say things that sound more like “Well I’m generally drawn to global color influences in accessories and textiles, especially warm dusty tones, but prefer a more minimal overall approach. I like an airy space and light colored walls. I’m very intentional about my art and only display a few of my favorite pieces at a time. My furnishings reflect the architectural style of my home, leaning on the mid-century side, with some industrial influences in my lighting choices.” I promise you this sort of knowledge about your personal preferences will yield some interesting conversations, beautiful interiors, and likely inspire the people around you to pay more attention to their immediate environments.

THE FEAR OF STANDING OUT:

We’ve all done this. We’ve felt drawn to something only to resist it and see it show up as a trend a month or two down the road. Artists, creatives, designers, thinkers, tinkerers; we’re all guilty. But why?

“Resistance is focused on short-term goals, instant gratification and immediate pleasure. It loathes long-term thinking, commitment of the heart and deep change. In other words, it will encourage doing more of the same and discourage choosing to do something different from the mainstream.”

Too often we try to assume what the opinions of others would be if we were to take a risk. We worry that our preferences may be interpreted as tacky or strange. So we hold them in. We politely pretend to agree. We conform to what feels ‘safe’. But ‘safe’ is not vulnerable, and sometimes not even honest. If you can open yourself up to expressing yourself fully, you might reap quite the reward. 

This is especially true when working with a designer. We are aesthetic problem solvers after all! If you tell us you want an all-white instagram-gem kitchen, we can do that. But we can’t make you love it. We say this because, unless we find ways to incorporate elements that are unique to you and your family, it will never feel like it's yours. If, for example, you tell us that a minimalist approach is important to you but you really love the color blue, and you throw us a little curveball of vintage furniture or a curated gallery wall; just watch us work our magic! This is what we live for!

For true collaboration to take place we must practice articulating our wants, needs, and boundaries. This process will make us more efficient and confident communicators allowing us to refine and better understand our preferences. The collaborative process of our jobs is what we find the most challenging, and the most fun! 

So as you leave this digital space today, we’d like to encourage you to look inward to see what really sets you on fire. Then put it on display! Just through doing so you’ll encourage others to grant themselves permission to do the same. Always speak kindly from the heart. Being agreeable is no longer a good look. Often the hardest conversations are the most transformational. 

top 5 creative home office conversions:

Maybe we’re all struggling a bit to define what work looks like for us these days. And thats okay! Some of us are taking on the roles of teachers along with our usual duties of homemaking and contributing to the work force. Frustrations are sure to pile up if we don’t address what needs attention, and theres no denying our interiors are playing a huge role in how we feel these days. In hopes of sending a little inspiration your way, we complied our favorite clever home office ideas. Check them out below!

Closet

Out of all the great creative ideas out there, this one is becoming quite popular and understandably so! It’s an affordable solution and allows the whole office to be put away once work is finished for the day (should you decide to keep the closet doors). This can be an ideal solution for those who have a hard time drawing a line between work and relaxation time, are limited on space, or have a handful of small children running around. The potential flexibility in selecting the closet to sacrifice is also a plus; choosing from several places in the home and prioritizing things that are important to you like natural light, visibility so you can keep an eye on the kids, or proximity if your job involves other parts of your home. When taking this small plunge, we do recommend playing it up a little. Allow yourself to splurge a little more on the details and consider having some fun with a little color or wallpaper. We promise it will make a big difference.

Secretary

With most of our files digitized, the secretary desk has found its time to shine! If space is a huge commodity for you, converting a closet, or even floating a shelf may not be an option. Consider modular pieces of furniture. Downsize as much as you can and find a piece to accommodate all the things you need for the day. When the work day is done it can all be neatly put away. Try finding a vintage piece and up-cycling it! We recommend using a unique color or wallpaper inside of the desk portion to really inspire you while you’re working. Little hidden gems like that are so fun!

Shelf as Divider

Maybe handy skills aren't your thing and the idea of taking on a full closet renovation intimidates you or you don’t have the resources necessary to hire someone to it for you. That's totally okay! If you find yourself needing a designated space, or just dividing an existing space, a shelf can be the perfect way to do that! We suggest keeping it airy and light so you can still see through it. Place the shelf between two workspaces for a little bit of a divide or float the shelf in the middle of a large room and use it as a desk wall. Make sure to consider windows here as you don’t want to block out any natural light. Decorate with your favorite things, and make sure to give yourself plenty of storage space for all the little things you want to keep out of sight. Decorative boxes and baskets are great for this and can even be made as a budget friendly DIY project with the kids!

Shipping Container

From she-sheds to in-law suites, we’ve seen a huge number of little shipping container structures popping up in backyards over the last few years. Unlike the closet office, these require a little more of an investment, but it’s worth every penny to the right person! If you struggle to focus inside the home, feeling plagued by chores and unrelated tasks, being able to leave your house may be exactly what you need. Containers are a great blank slate for the creative mind providing ample room for an office or even a small studio. They can be customized exactly how you want, and the best part, if you move to a new home you can take your tiny structure with you!

Dining Room Table

Lastly, if new furniture isn’t in the cards for you we still want to make sure you create a space for yourself! Working at the dining room table is no new design innovation but there are some clever ways to make it feel like a designated space. Consider keeping the table as clutter free as possible. Come up with ways to define the space for different parts of the day. Keeping a centerpiece or flowers on the table while it's not being used as an office can be a good reminder to keep yourself from mindlessly setting things down ultimately creating a catch-all. When working, remove the centerpiece and add more office-like decor. Play around with a couple accessories from around your home. Maybe a stack of books and a plant, a cute pet photo, a cool bowl to hold all your chargers or a nice small vase for pens and pencils. Keep it simple and make it unique to you so it sparks that little bit of excitement when you go to set it up for the day.

We appreciate interacting with the content we make so don’t hesitate to reach out if theres a topic you want us to cover! Most importantly, as we navigate this digital landscape together, know that we are here rooting for you, your space, and your wellbeing!

2020/2021 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS OVERVIEW AND SECRETS TO INCORPORATING THEM:

The desire for practicality and comfort really stand out as we purchase large chunky sofas, explore recycled material and textile options, incorporate more terra-cotta pieces adding much needed warmth and heft, draw inspiration from architecture across the globe and create a space for ourselves that embodies the idea of Natural Luxury. We now grasp the importance of making ourselves feel good, and as we learn how to do so through design, we implement many ideas rooted in minimalist and Japanese culture. We are beginning to understand the need for a calm space and are working to figure out how to create that for ourselves. There is no right or wrong here, but we would like to give you a couple of things to ponder on your personal journey.

By now you may have noticed that the big design trends this year are about embodying a set of values rather than mimicking a specific aesthetic. Somewhere in the midst of floral wallpapers, natural hues, bold statement ceilings, contrasting trim, arched doorways, mirrors and shelves; there is a consideration for the individuality of the space and the person who it serves. Stay true to you and explore pieces from the time your home was built. Doing so can really play up the unique architectural style of your home creating a better overall flow.

First, consider you. What are your personal preferences? How would you describe your personality? What are some things that bring about nostalgia for you? What makes you smile? Take the time to write these things down. Once you feel like you’ve gathered some inspiration, consider the pieces you already have and love. Maybe some of these pieces aren't being utilized to their full potential. Take inventory and give yourself permission to experiment moving pieces into different rooms. Consider stripping a room to its essentials and bringing in only what you love seeing every single day. From there you can decide what your needs and goals are.

As a general rule, keep large scale pieces neutral so the look of the room can easily be changed through a quick swap of art and accessories. As we gear up for this new world chapter, we may find ourselves growing tired of our surroundings more quickly than before. For this reason, see if you can find some versatility even in the small accessory purchases. If you grow tired of them in one space, could you put them elsewhere in the home to give them new life? 

As many of our lives shift to include working from home, often cooking at home and even homeschooling, we start to pay more attention to the way we utilize our space. For many of us, things come up that make us really question the design choices we made in the past. Guest bedrooms, garages, old storage sheds and closets are being revamped into offices and studio spaces all over the world. Yards are not only serving us as a place for sunbathing, we’re also seeing a huge increase in the amount of gardens being planted. There’s a bigger demand for modular furniture driven by an increase in curiosity about the ways in which we interact with our spaces. Many brands now offer more sustainable options and we’re noticing some really unique ways of repurposing an array of different materials.

So yes, while it's inevitable that we are returning back to nature we don’t expect to see a huge wave of primitive living practices. However, we are embracing some important ideas. As awareness rises and the importance of sustainability becomes something we can no longer ignore, we lean towards being better consumers, neighbors and friends. The importance of a space that very much feels like a sanctuary is more crucial now than ever before and there is scientific evidence to support a need to connect with nature. Consequently we’re choosing smarter, shopping smaller, recycling more and wasting less. 

ONGOING LIST OF ATLANTA GEMS: