A recent staging project, 11817 Texas, Santa Monica, CA

This is a recent home staging project of mine. As many of you know, home staging is different from the interior design work that I also do, in that staging has marketing reasons behind the design, in order to make it sell fast! This condo was completely empty and I brought it to life thru staging.  Before even the FIRST open house, the seller received TWO full-price offers based on only the photos seen on the website!

Part 1, showing the main living areas and the loft above.  Next post will show the bedrooms.

www.11817Texas.com - Part 2

Here's the rest of the condo... from empty and all-white to lively and full of color!
 

Livingroom : 9 Zen designs to inspire !

Zen is not just a way of meditation but a way of living. For anyone who loves the concept of  peace and serenity and calmness of mind, zen way of designing is a perfect choice. It concentrates on turning your home into a place for getting away from stress and allowing positive feeling and calmness to envelope you.

It is designed around 'less is more'. Think of neutral color on wall, open airy windows, few but furniture with clean lines and fluidity in it. Borrow from nature and bring in plants and pebbles, natural form and sounds. Keep the whole concept soothing, away from too much of color or bling, and keep the energy flowing.

Check Zen designs for bedroom in my previous post.

Serene and inspiring. This design is done in neutral shades and keeps it interesting with natural and flowy forms. The wall pattern, Buddha statue, tree and oriental table add a distinctly Japanese touch. I am inspired !

Modern furniture in a Zen setting is what makes this design so appealing. Zen decor is easy to achieve with just a few pieces and keeping is simple and uncluttered. The light filtering in and use of white creates a very positive affect.

Zen decor does not mean removing colors, it however means finding a harmony within the space. The living room is spartan, yet fun and pleasing. The low tables and wooden accent on the walls and flooring and bamboo curtain completes the look.

Color red is what stands out in this living room. Zen gives special importance to red. I love how only natural objects like the bamboo sapling and pebbles are used. Simple and inspiring decor for zen lovers.

This design is not totally Zen, however is carries the same concept of fluidity and freedom. No clutter, less distraction, neutral shade on the walls. A Zen design for living room for those who love modern maybe ?

Space should not keep one from creating 'Zen'. This design, though in a small space has positivity, simplicity, peace, nature and energy in it. The painting brings in the sky, the plant the greenery, light filters in and how I adore the curtain rail (simple bamboo stick). I would make this mine !

The decor simply inspiring. Nothing to clutter the space and the aesthetics is awesome. The red and green balance the muted natural and black. A great way to get inspired to create your own design.

Open space, high ceiling, french windows, and lots of light. This room is a haven for meditation. The spartan furniture and low setting makes it even more decluttered.

Work with what you have, downscale on the furniture and accent, and keep the energy flowing. The harmony in this room is what makes it special. The whole idea is to get the most out of the space you have. The overall feeling of calmness is what makes it so 'Zen'

Going with 'less is more', to design a room inspired by Zen, you might however like to keep only few quality furnishings, use simple and clean lines. Get the energy flowing, try to get close to nature and its forms. It will not just affect the space but also your lives.

7 Retro designs for home and dining room

Retro look is so much fun and beautiful to create. I love the colors and quirkiness that it brings. Retro is the way to go if you have a love for design that is distinct, colors that add to dimension and style that is unparallel. A far cry from classic or understated, it is a design that has to loved totally before you recreate it in your home.

I have put together a set of ideas for home design, dining area is specially the soul of the home, with family enjoying meals together and entertaining friends and building memories. I specially adore the clean lines and curved shapes of dining chairs, while the simple table with  basic shape and color provides the perfect foil.

Retro white circular table with laminate chairs and vintage table ware. I love how unique and cheerful the whole look is.

The dining room is so full of memorabilia from past and put together with the distinct retro vintage panton chairs, the room is elevated to a testament from the 60s. Lucky ! 

Retro design and decor are know for its vibrant colors. The whole setting is so simple yet sophisticated. The design is interesting and keeps the atmosphere light and beautiful.

I love wire mesh chairs. They are stylish and so versatile. Not easy to come by an entire dining set, create your own. Mix match works wonderfully and what can be more and interesting than hunting for your perfect fit :)

Its all about keeping it unique and interesting. Retro is know for its fun and whimsical design. Use your imagination and create your very own space.

How elegant and stylish. Beautiful ikat print on the stylish chairs, with the absolutely stunning iron table base. I would love to snag this up any day. My favourite :D Retro is the way to be !

Lush colors and lots of it. Not for the faint hearted, enjoy the retro style that way it should be, wholeheartedly ! There is no place for toning down here and yet the energy and vibes are so positive.

BEFORE and AFTER: From 80's oak to fresh and modern

Here's an example of what home staging (or a re-design) can do: Compare the before and after photos, and ask yourself, where would YOU rather live? Yep, your buyers will say the same thing!  Another great staging job.

My thanks to Kristen Coppa of Modern Nest for the photos!

6 lovely wall design ideas for kid's room

I have a special love for decorating kid's room. It is colorful and imaginative and a special place where lots of beautiful memories are created.

It is a space where there is happiness and laughter and the color scheme and design should reflect just that. A lot of fun and bright cheerful motifs. This set of designs are to help you get inspired to create some beautiful designs for your kids bedroom.

This is a simple yet stylish way to bring fun and cheer into your kid's room. Love how the motif can be used as picture frames to put in just any drawing or picture into it.

Pink and flowery! I am sure it would be some little girl's favourite room. The blank wall is a perfect foil for the somewhat large and loud flowery motifs. The room is visually grabbing and delightful.

Bring a little piece of sky inside. The beautiful color of blue and serenity of the decor is absolutely relaxing. No temper tantrums here I think ;) Love the polka dotted rug and simple furniture.

Trite as it maybe Teddy bears still rule a little of everyone's childhood. This room design in brown is different from conventional pink and blue and yet soothing and pleasant. The icon on the wall an absolute cutey!

 

Lots of pink hearts dancing on the wall. An unusual design for wall but brings a new dimension to the room. It is a perfect idea for smaller rooms to bring n the depth the design offers.

Blue and flowers together may not be a norm. But the design and color scheme does look great. Again the gorgeous design is offset by a white wall to bring balance. A beautiful idea to recreate.

Incredible Series : Table designs inspired by nature

I Love to see furniture pieces which are functional, unique and embraces natural form. It has more to do with retaining the original shape and form than taking away from it. These furniture not only pleases the senses it is also a way of celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of nature.

I have put together some designs that have the appeal and beauty to inspire you to look for one for your home.

The branches are the focal design that make this table so fabulous. Love the way the knots and imperfections have been left untouched, adding to its character. Beautiful piece of art !

One can look at this table from any angle and appreciate the beauty of form. The different colors of the core and the interesting way its put together is so impressive. A conversation starter for sure.

 

 The design is inspired by a tree and cast in metal. For those who love nature and like the convenience of metal. It does not lose any of the charm,the glitter of metal and form catches ones interest for sure.

Another design which is an arty assembly of branches and wood. The design is so engaging and refreshing. It goes with any decor and color scheme and creates a place for itself.

This is how it should be celebrated, nature in its truest form. No wasting of wood in carving and smoothing, raw and beautiful. A perfect coffee table and a tribute to nature.

It is wonderful how we can all make the best of what we take from nature and use it to the full potential while keeping it aesthetically beautiful. If we can cut on wasteful furniture design and turn to natural form it can be inspiring and so rewarding. I hope you all get inspired too !