A Fun Foyer Features Fantastic Art
A foyer gives visiting guests a first impression of both the homeowners and the home’s interior design. A large foyer in a Burlingame, CA bungalow was painted sunny yellow with white trim that is usually associated with classic traditional rooms. A modest antique ceiling mounted light fixture, a traditional French style wood cabinet, small works [...]
Mellow Yellow was released by Donovan in 1967
Mellow Yellow was reused in a Living Room designed by INSTUDIO in 2012. Former New Yorkers had traded their city sized NYC apartment for a spacious light filled bungalow in Burlingame, CA. The art loving young professionals painted the walls of their Foyer and Living Room a glowing sunny yellow with white trim that is [...]
INSTUDIO Design Directors tell COLOR STORIES
Benjamin Moore Paints invited INSTUDIO Design Directors to the San Francisco launch of their new full spectrum color collection, Color Stories. The new collection is inspired by how we truly experience the essence of color in our daily lives. Color speaks to us through observation, memory and perception. Presented as books the new selections are [...]
IKEA introduces New Luxurious Lacquer Colors for EXPEDIT
INSTUDIO Design Directors visit IKEA at least once a year to see new and interesting designs. During their spring visit the designers came across an old favorite with a sexy new look. Some of the Expedit furniture has been given a new finish that got their attention. New high gloss lacquers in red, gray or [...]
The Bones of Interior Design Accessories
When interior design is completed accessories add life and individual personality to rooms. Accessories make statements throughout the room with color, texture, sparkle and shape. Accessories are as individual as you are and should complement your décor. We think of natural accessories as flowers, shells, fruits, dried leaves, branches or stones and forget about bones. [...]
Bored at Home? Try an INSTUDIO Restyle!
Having nice things is sometimes not enough when you’ve had the same furniture, art and accessories for so long that you don’t see them anymore. It’s easy to become bored with your rooms simply using them every day and not seeing your home with fresh eyes or ideas for new possibilities. Everything old can become [...]
Artistry in wood, a tour of Berkeley Mills
Recently INSTUDIO Interior Design Directors were given a tour of Berkeley Mills. Since1988, Berkeley Mills has produced handcrafted, custom built cabinetry and furniture along with unique projects tailored to fit the individual needs of their loyal clients. They welcome visitors to their spacious showroom and workshop seven days a week. The loft like showroom features [...]
Tamara Codor FURNITURE DESIGN
Some of the most innovative, beautiful, contemporary furniture designs are not mass produced, seen in design showrooms or retail stores. These works of art that happen to be furniture are developed by furniture designers who work with specialty crafts people to realize their own designs. INSTUDIO Design Directors were thrilled when they reviewed a portfolio [...]
An Odd Pair of Chairs Add Life to a Room
INSTUDIO interior Design Directors like to add an odd or interesting pair of dining chairs to a dining room set. The chairs can also provide extra seating in a living room. An unexpected pair of chairs can add life to a room by being a counterpoint to the other furnishings in the room. When selecting [...]
INSTUDIO Directs Design at MISSION PICTURES
The unassuming vine covered building at 1500 Seventeenth Street on the northwest corner of Arkansas looks plain on the outside but it is the home to three creative businesses. Buddy Rhodes is an artist and the innovative design force for concrete products. INSTUDIO Design Directors/Artists develop their ideas for art and interior design projects. MISSION [...]
Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
San Francisco Design Directors Samuel Lewis and Stephen Kladder of INSTUDIO while visiting Grand Rapids, Michigan over the holiday break spent an afternoon at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Recognized as one of the finest sculpture parks in the country and named one of the top 30 must-see museums in the world by [...]
San Francisco Loft Living
Decades ago New York City artists, actors and the avant-garde pioneered loft living. Creating a new way to live these people made their own rules by converting warehouses, manufacturing spaces and industrial buildings to spacious light filled dwellings and work spaces. The first lofts had the challenges of developing kitchens, bath rooms and heating systems. [...]
Create Gold and Silver Glittered Pinecones
Nature provides perfect holiday decorations from majestic pine trees. Natural pine cones remind us of the season and add sculptural beauty to any style of interior design and décor. While the Design Directors of INSTUDIO think that “gilding the lily” would be a bad idea, they think that glittering the pinecone might be a good [...]
Like Leather? Lay It on the Floor!
Leather floors were once only used in the rooms of grand homes. Thick custom leather tiles required skilled professional installers. Leather for your floors is now as easy, practical and good looking as wood. It’s not as expensive as it used to be either with a thinner product and easy installation that can give you [...]
Thinking about New Interior Design?
Design takes time. Thoughtful planning opens the doors to great design. When contemplating a new style for your living or work space INSTUDIO Interior Design Directors suggest that you contact a designer for a consultation long before you think your project will actually begin. An interview with a design expert can help you flesh out [...]
Ask INSTUDIO Interior Design Directors
With the changing light and climate we plan to spend more time at home during the fall season. The winter holidays are rapidly approaching and often thoughts are geared towards entertaining family and friends. This brings to mind starting a few decorating and design projects to make ourselves and our homes a bit more inviting, [...]
What’s Your Type of Decorative Accessory?
If yesterday’s communications technology is trash to someone, can it be a decorative treasure to another? Interior Design Director Samuel Fleming Lewis was on an errand in San Francisco’s South of Market when he spotted a shiny, black, stamped metal plate nestled in the weeds not far from a new construction site. With interest his curiosity piqued, he decided [...]
Looking for an Unusual Ottoman? Have a Ball!
INSTUDIO interior Design Directors always keep an eye out for interesting shapes, forms, styles, materials or construction while searching for everyday furniture items like ottomans. When an unusual item is included in a design project it adds visual interest and takes on the quality of a functional work of art. A ball shaped tufted leather [...]
Atmospheric Paintings add Splendor to Decor
Selecting art that you enjoy is one of the best ways to bring your personal style and taste into your decor. INSTUDIO interior Design Directors recently accompanied clients to San Francisco’s Naval Shipyard for Open Artists’ Studios in the quest to acquire art for their home. Seeing where art is created, meeting artist and viewing [...]
When He Likes Design as Much as She
While watching HGTV television programs the Interior Design Directors of INSTUDIO often hear the phrase “happy wife, happy life” when men defer all of the Interior design decisions to their spouses. Most men will settle for a comfy chair for themselves in room of her design. A “man cave” in the basement or garage can [...]
Inspired by Luscious Dark Colors?
Dark colors can make a striking statement when used as wall colors. Notice the variety of red-purples and blue-purples in plums. They are rich with lively warm, reddish tones. Deep colors aren’t for everyone but “night people” should enjoy the dark shades that they love as part of their interior design plan. Most people think [...]
What are Elevations? Take a look at the walls that surround you!
The Design Directors of INSTUDIO say interior design starts with a plan. The Floor plan tells you how your furniture will fit within a room and how you will move through your living space. Elevations are the walls in a room or space. Architecturally speaking basic elevations include each wall in a room as you [...]
Stacking Chairs are Ideal for Extra Dinner Guest
When hosting a large dinner party sometimes extra chairs are needed. Stacking chairs are an excellent solution to provide extra seating. They can fit within a closet and don’t take much floor space. The comfort level is higher than folding chairs because they fit the body better. Comfortable chairs make your dinner guests happy; they [...]
You’ve Got Style!
The Design Directors of INSTUDIO often hear from clients when we ask them what their style is that they have no style. Not true! Everyone has their own style; they simply may not know how to translate it into their interior spaces. Everyone dresses themselves in a manner that suits them (their style). We all [...]
