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 [...]
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 [...]
The Continuing Legacy of Italian Design
Everyone knows the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy. Europe emerged from the Dark Ages on the impetus of Italian innovation in the arts, architecture and design. The Italian legacy in design still continues and one of the leaders much liked by the Design Directors of INSTUDIO is Flexform. Establishing itself during the innovative era of [...]
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 [...]
LOOK!
If you are ready to start your interior design project, it is also the time to open your eyes and starting looking at everything around you. You never know what might be a cue for your inspiration, but if you are not observing you might just miss it. A common characteristic of artists is that [...]
Artists are Opening their Studios
Year round artists are busy creating interesting works of art behind closed doors in lofts, warehouses, garages, basements, spare bedrooms, workrooms and anyplace that they call a studio. In San Francisco, Fall means “Open Studios”. INSTUDIO Design Directors look forward to this time of year because they can see new work by both well known [...]
INSTUDIO Answers Questions on COLOR
Fregosi & Company Paints has supplied Benjamin Moore Paints to San Franciscan’s for three generations. The new color gallery store at 1812 Polk Street marks the third conveniently located store. INSTUDIO Design Directors take advantage of their sunny studio being geographically located almost exactly in between the Benjamin Moore Showroom in the Galleria Design Center [...]
INTERIOR DESIGN QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Design Plus Consignment Gallery & the Interior Design Directors of INSTUDIO come together to present a free public discussion and demonstration of creative interior design solutions for the home. Design Plus offers a plethora of gently used home furnishings, art and accessories. Match your design style whatever it is with items from Design Plus and [...]
So You Like Yellow!
The color yellow is usually associated with bright and cheerful, sunny and light. In some cultural traditions, for instance in many Native American cultures, it is the color that represents our spiritual nature. Its complimentary color is purple which is generally viewed as an intense color. Surprisingly, many people do not think of yellow as [...]
Get off the Chair & Design your Room
October already and before you know it the holidays will be here. Family and friends will soon be knocking at your door. Now is the time to spiff up your interiors with a little paint, some wallpaper, a new rug, hardwood floors, tile, crown molding, a new furniture arrangement, new window treatments, and maybe some [...]
CULTURE, COMPOSITION, COLOR & COMFORT
Why does Buddha seem so serene? Is it secrets of relaxation and meditation? Is it the placement on a dark polished wood chest? Is it the warm glow of the lighting? Or does the juxtaposition of the abstract art beyond Buddha create a calming vignette that pleases the eye? These questions and many more will [...]
Africa inspires Samuel Fleming Lewis
INSTUDIO interior Design Directors are both artists and interior designers. Recently Samuel Fleming Lewis created twelve new linoleum block prints. Graphic patterns from African tribal textiles and wood carvings have long been an influence in his art. Samuel was first introduced to carving linoleum for prints in a high school art class. He often returns [...]
The Subtlety of Color
Hesitant to use paint colors you love because you believe they are too strong? This can be true depending upon what you want to achieve for your interior design. Many people tend to shy away from purple, yellow or green. However, if we look to nature we have a beautiful canvas of how these colors [...]
Contemplating New Interior Design?
Interior Design is more than just moving your furniture into a room and expecting it to reflect how you live and your personal style. How the furniture is arranged determines not only how the room is used but how we interact with family friends and pets. This is where a good furniture plan overrides design [...]
What Makes Your Design Unique?
Copying a design that you like may be flattering to the originator but does the style really fit you? Model, singer, muse and style icon Grace Jones blended her unique physical image along with designers, stylists and photographers to produce a portfolio of one-of-a-kind visuals that reflected her over the top personality and style. When [...]
Revive & Keep Your Furniture
The times are right hold on to older pieces of furniture, especially those that have been in the family for some time. Just revive it. It can be done beautifully and cost effectively. Older pieces of furniture tend to be much better constructed than new pieces of furniture. They were made to last. You may [...]
Be a Design Rebel with a Cause
Developing personal interior design style can be a rebellious act in that it takes strength of character to ignore design trends to create rooms that reflect who you are. Finding your style requires looking at furniture, art, lighting & accessories from various sources. While the internet and established furniture stores can provide foundation furnishings what [...]
Going Minimal
Made popular by Joseph D’Urso of New York City minimalist interiors made a statement in the 1970′s, and continues to be a noted interior design solution. Minimalism works great for lofts, small spaces and when you don’t have (or want) a lot of stuff. It keeps the look clean, and if done right, very interesting. [...]
It’s Abstract
Abstract art gives you glimpses. It frees the viewer to imagine, ponder and wonder. The black & white painting titled “Floppy Remorse” by artist Stephen Kladder is just such an abstract work of art. One can discern some text: but what does it say? Images can also be discerned, but what are they exactly? It [...]
7 Floral Designs from a Bountiful Bouquet
Supermarkets, organic grocery stores and farmers markets offer flower bouquets which combine a bounty of seasonal greenery and flowers. For a reasonable price a large vase can be filled with leafy greens and flowers to add color to a room. Seven different floral arrangements were composed by the design directors of INSTUDIO using one $15.00 [...]
Design Enhanced by Color, Art & Accessories
A high-rise Condominium can be a blank slate of crisp white walls and beautiful new hardwood floors. The space is personalized by a thoughtful furniture plan that reflects how the homeowner intends to use the rooms. After the plan and furniture selection, color, art & accessories give the room personal style. INSTUDIO Design Directors thoughtfully [...]
