3 Design Tips to Help You Live the Good Life

 We all live such busy lives that it can seem like we hardly have a chance to rest and relax, but when we do have that spare minute, we tend to spend our time enjoying some well-deserved rest at home.

 In California, we are finally done with the record-setting rainy season. This past weekend, my family and I had a chance to enjoy time in the backyard, lounging around the pool with a great bottle of wine and some snacks.

 As I sat there watching the kids and dogs jump in and out of the pool, sipping wine and noshing on cheese and crackers, I realized how that moment was just like how interior design is supposed to feel – good.

First, Sometimes You Need to Splurge on Interior Design

Our beautiful bottle of wine was so good, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  Sometimes you need to splurge to get the good stuff. This is the same with design.

From expensive marble tile on your kitchen backsplash to a piece of artwork that makes your heart skip a beat – whatever your splurge is, it is essential to your soul.

Second, You Need a Variety of Colors, Textures, and Patterns

Our snack tray was beautifully prepared by my hubby with salami, dried fruit, olives, cheese stuffed pepperoncini, smoked almonds, brie cheese and cracked peppercorn crackers. This mix of color, texture, and pattern looked too pretty to eat.

This is what happens when we design a space for you, when we carefully select the perfect mix of colors, texture, and patterns to make something truly delectable. When you walk into your room, it feels right. It makes you happy. It makes you feel at ease. These feelings don’t happen by chance; they happen because we’ve spent many, many hours developing those emotions through design, by learning what is important to you.

Third, Your Home Needs Balance

I don’t care for bitter or sour foods, but the harmony of the wine and mix of treats complimented each other effortlessly. I didn’t cringe with a bite of pepperoncini because the sweet fruit and savory salami balanced the flavors perfectly.

Finding balance in your rooms (whether they be indoor or outdoor) is important because an unbalanced anything (work, life, and spaces) can be uncomfortable. As interior designers, we’ve become quite adept at creating interesting spaces whose visual objects are equally weighted. The tart black accent wall is balanced with the sweet and soft flowing drapery, thus the space feels comfortable and inviting.

Wish You Were Here

I know I can’t bring you into my backyard to share in snacks, sips and relaxation, but as you start planning your summer parties, making your playlist and getting ready to enjoy the good life on your patio, I can outfit it with outdoor furniture that will make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood.

…But what if your home doesn’t currently feel like a place where you can just relax and get some downtime? In that case, a redesign is often in order. Working with a great interior designer is one of the best things that you can do to set yourself on that path.

P.S. I’ve got two outdoor room vignettes in the Shoppe just waiting for you. Come check them out and get great, stylish patio furniture perfect for outdoor living! (OPEN SATURDAYS)