Q-Box
Send your design questions and I will reply with advice in all areas of Residential Design. Most commonly asked questions will be gathered and posted for all to review.
All design topics are welcome from space plans, industry standards, color inquiries, surface material specification (i.e. countertops, tile, hardwood, wallpaper, carpet, etc.)…anything and everything from the most basic to the complex!
Send your questions to: questions@theidesignbox.com
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Q-BOX COMMON DESIGN QUESTIONS
My husband and I have very different styles. I’m more artsy and eclectic while he is typically traditional. How do I mix our styles so that it makes sense instead of looking like his stuff and my stuff thrown into the room?
Start with a neutral pallet in your flooring material and wall color. Your large ticket items should also lean toward the more conservative style and in your case his style is traditional. You can then layer the room with your style which is less conservative. This can be accomplished with accessories such as art, throw pillows, window coverings, knick knacks, and less dominate pieces of furniture.
The following is a visual example from Elle Decor magazine is a successful example of mixing styles. The neutral base and traditional elements can be found in the color on the walls, flooring material, traditional sofa, built-in bookcases, and neutral window coverings. The touch of artfulness and an eclectic style can be found in the yellow chairs and the sculptural art of boxed coral.
Photo Source: Elle Decor
How do I select a paint color for my space?
There are a lot of nuances that can come into play including whether or not the room is open to another space in your home, the function of the room, and light. However, as a basic rule of thumb select your paint color from an inspiration item such as the rug, art, prevalent use of fabric in the room (example: bedding), and always paint a swatch on the wall to live with in all times of the day for at least two days or more. Benjamin Moore is a great resource because not only have they preselected many color combinations they also sell the wide spectrum of paint colors in small 3 oz bottles. First purchasing small samples of paint eliminates wasting a quart of paint or making a decision based upon a small one inch by one inch piece of paper. If you are still in doubt it is best to consult with a professional.
Is it okay to have multiple types of floor materials throughout my home?
Yes, it is okay to have multiple flooring types throughout your home. However, do keep in mind the function of the space when selecting a material for an open living area. For example, if your living and dining room are open to your kitchen it is ideal to keep one durable flooring material throughout the entire space. When there is no clear defining point where to stop and start flooring materials select one such as hardwood or tile and define living areas using rugs and furniture arrangements. In the more defined spaces of your home that are not open to other such as bedrooms, home offices, and bonus rooms it is okay to vary the flooring material if you prefer. When using different flooring materials such as hardwood, carpet, tile, cork, and other options try to keep them in a similar neutral pallet so the sense of cohesion remains throughout your home.
How do I define space in my great room?
First identify the function of each area within your great room. This may include space for a dining area, family room space to watch television, a defined place for your home office, and so forth. Then create an anchor for each area using furniture arrangements that relate to the function of the defined space. It is okay to float furniture in a room and anchor it with an area rug if the room is large enough. This will make it easier to define each function of different areas within the one great room. You may also define each space within the great room with paint if you have unique architecture such as niches and nooks or columns and archways. And finally, built-in cabinetry is also a great way to carve out space for your home office or define the home entertainment area.
A visual example of defining space in a great room or open living environment can be seen in the following picture from HGTV – Rate My Space. The conversational area in the forefront of the picture is defined and anchored using an area rug while the second is arranged using furniture that is floating and angled toward one another which also defines a separate conversational space from the first.
Photo Source: HGTV – Rate My Space
I want to paint specific rooms and areas that are open to one another and the edges of my walls are rounded. Where do I start and stop each paint color and how do I work with the rounded edges?
When living in an open living space it is ideal to define each area with one paint color to create visual interest. Always select colors that relate to one another in some way. For specific advice on how to select colors please contact me directly. When you are painting areas of the open living space apply colors according to the function of each area that may be open to the next. For example, your dining room may be open to the family room. Paint all walls in the dining room one color so the eye is drawn to the whole space that serves one function. Use architectural features where you can to start and stop the color. Perhaps there is an archway, column, or obvious transition space such as a hallway or foyer. If your walls are rounded and you want to create a clean edge define where you want to stop the paint color and apply blue painters tape and/or use high quality brushes and tools designed for “cutting in”. Cutting in is a term used when the desire is to paint a straight clean line where the wall meets the ceiling, trim, next living space, or other transition.
A visual example is shown in the following picture from HGTV – Rate My Space. In this image you can see by using shades of green that relate to one another the open living space connects. Colors start and stop according to architectural features such as the trim and archway from the living room to the kitchen or dining space in the adjacent room.
