Heated Floors

Tile is cold! And there is nothing worse than having to start your day standing on cold floors or getting out of a relaxing bath or shower to be met with a cold floor. When building a new home or remodeling a primary bathroom you should absolutely consider the benefits of adding heated floors. Not only will this change the overall feeling and warmth of the space but it will also help with resale value of the home.

Separate Tub (If Possible)

It may not always be possible to have a separate tub from your shower depending on the space but if you can, then you should! Tubs are amazing for relaxation and having a separate space where you can decompress after a long day or just because you love it. It is so important to be mindful of your needs. Having a separate tub also changes the entire aesthetic of the space and elevates it immensely. There are a few different options for the type of faucet with the tub; floor mount, deck mount or a wall mount. Not only are separate tubs beautiful in the space but they are also functional, having a tub and a shower allows two people to utilize the space at once.

Steam Shower

Steam showers are absolutely amazing and something that I encourage having in your primary bathroom. These have so many benefits for your well being and overall provide a healthier shower experience. The following things are benefits of having these in your home:

• Great for your skin 
• Great way to relax
• Great for at home aromatherapy 
• Great for when you are sick or when your kids or grandkids are, it helps clear your chest and nasal passages.

But of course this may not be for everyone, my daughters in law don’t enjoy it like I do! 😛

Decorative Fixture Above the Tub

These provide an element of beauty and a focal point in the space. They are great for ambient and mood lighting. 

BUT SHHHH… these do need to be installed after final inspection.

Handheld Shower Head Separate From the Stationary Head

Last but not least you definitely want to have a handheld shower head that is separate from your stationary shower head. There are multiple reasons that these are a necessity and make life easier:

• Easier for anyone who shaves their legs
• Easier for those days when you don’t want to wash your hair 
• Easier for showering small kids or grandkids
• Easier for cleaning the shower

There are so many important parts of a bathroom. These are just some of the things I think are important to consider most!

The post My Top 5s: Must Haves in a Primary Bathroom appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

Be Smart,  Budget For Your Appliances

Appliances will make or break your kitchen and you DO NOT want to think about these last. They are not the place that you want to have to skimp because your budget runs out at the end. It will be worth your time to do your research, know what appliances you want and how much to set aside in your budget for them! 

Despite what you may believe, you do not need to buy a full appliance package from one brand. They do not all need to be the same, and you will likely save money and get the biggest bang for your buck if you mix and match!! This is definitely something to take into account if you are doing panel ready appliances. Not a single person will know what brand the fridge/freezer are, so do your research and choose the best one that fits your budget, or your heart’s desire!! Also remember your oven likely won’t match regardless because they typically only come in stainless steel or black so don’t get hung up on these little details.

Who Builds Your Cabinets Matters 

If you haven’t yet read, ‘MY TOP 5’S: MY TOP 5’S WHEN BUILDING A HOME’ you should. Price shouldn’t always dictate what you choose to do in your home, you can definitely save on some things, but cabinets should not be one of those things. Educating yourself on your cabinet options is worth every minute of your time.

Styling Your Cabinets

Your cabinets don’t have to be boring, but remember balance is key when adding your personality into a space!

Your lower cabinets and your island are going to see the most wear and tear (especially if you have little ones or pets). That being said, bold colored cabinets are in and we see them A LOT on the lowers, this can bring a lot of color into a space easily. But make that decision knowing that you will have to touch up the paint because the wear will show. Another option if you want something that will withstand life a little better, you can stain your lower cabinets. Then the dings and wear will not be nearly as obvious, plus it is way easier to touch up. Of course you can always do a light or white painted lower cabinet, they will need to be touched up, and will show fingerprints. They won’t show quite like it does with a bolder/darker color. You can also incorporate a unique design on your cabinet doors on your lower cabinets and/or the sides of your island.

Now let’s talk upper cabinets. Just like your lowers, you can always do a fun cabinet door design, and can do white or a lighter color to brighten the space. Adding glass in some of the uppers OR eliminating the cabinet all together in some spots and adding floating shelves for a more visually interesting space. 

Don’t be scared to get creative and remember if you have  been educated about your kitchen, it will help you make the best decisions for you and your home.

One is Better than Two, at Least With Your Sink

This one seems simple, do a large single bowl sink. Let me say that one more time, you should have a large single bowl sink in your kitchen. You may think, well isn’t it harder to do dishes without two bowls The simple answer is NO, it is not harder. I would say this is the number one misconception with sinks. It is just as easy to wash your dishes in a single bowl sink as previously thought double bowl sinks. You do not have to do an apron front sink to get a single bowl; they also come in undermount.

No More Boring Backsplashes

The title pretty much says it all. Your backsplash shouldn’t be boring and you want it to be cohesive with the style you are going for.

Some Styling Tips:

• Simple color, do a fun shaped tile or a fun pattern it will bring some personality into it!
• Bolder color, opt for a simpler tile shape and pattern of how it’s laid. 
• If you want a bold statement but not a bold color, do the backsplash the same as the countertop
• If you have adjacent walls you can tile these as well to draw your eyes up (you can even go up and over a door frame)

Things to Remember:

• Smaller grout lines are better on a backsplash. Your backsplash will get dirty and these will be easier to clean.
• In a main kitchen, the smaller the tile you use the busier it is going to look, so think through what the kitchen needs.

Lighting is More Than Just Functional

Lights are necessary in every space and they absolutely are a functional piece of your home. BUT they should be anything but boring. You will want typical recessed task lighting for functional purposes. I would absolutely consider adding under cabinet lights and even toe kick lighting. It adds additional functional lighting and both will create a really nice ambience in your space. 

Now don’t forget your decorative lighting. These are your pendants and/or sconces. Every kitchen NEEDS to have it. Beauty and function can coexist, you should always have decorative lighting in your kitchen. Consider all the different places you can add it.

If you are building or even remodeling I hope these must haves help you in your project. One thing to note…kitchens, bathrooms, HOMES in general, will speak to you as they come together. They’ll tell you what they need, so use these rules/must haves but as you select the finishes listen to the needs of your home. She’ll tell you what she needs in these areas!

Have fun designing!

XOXO,

Alli

The post My Top 5s: Must Haves In a Kitchen appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

Learning Sheens and Tones

SHEEN

You may be wondering to yourself, what is a sheen A sheen is the amount of shine in the paint. The amount of shine in your paint can make it easier or harder to clean when it gets dirty. If you have kids or grandbabies, you know that walls get dirty and being able to clean them can be really important! 

Types of sheens include the following (in order from least to most shiny):

• Flat/Low 
• Matte
• Egg Shell 
• Satin 
• Semi-gloss
• High-gloss

I will use Flat/Low or Matte on the ceiling, Eggshell or Satin on walls and for the base and case. I prefer Satin as long as the painter preps well, but Semi-gloss is always a safe option and still looks fabulous!

TONES

If your builder or painter is talking about 1, 2 or 3 tone walls, as long as you know about sheens, you can understand them like a pro! You will also be able to answer their questions with confidence.

• 1 tone means: one color equalling one sheen on the walls, ceiling, and base/case. 
• 2 tone means: one color with two sheens, such as Satin for walls and base/case, and then Flat on the ceiling. 
• 3 tone means: one color and three sheens, Flat on the ceiling, Eggshell on the walls and Semi-gloss on the base and case. 

Note: You could choose 1-3 different colors if you’re doing a 3 tone paint system as you’re already changing the sheen/tones…but we’ll get into this more below…

Now that you understand Sheens and Tones, let’s get to the fun part!

Having Fun with Sheens!

Color on Color

White on white on white or any other color. This means you will have one color on your ceiling, walls and base/case but 3 sheens in the space, creating dimension between each part of the wall.

One Color

What has been most popular the last couple of years is one color, but 3 sheens. We have perfected the art of the soft white palette home using the same color, but flat on the ceiling, eggshell on the walls and satin on the base/case/doors.

Two Color

This was popular for a long time before the one color took over, but is starting to come back around. This is when you will paint your walls and ceilings both the same light color, not white, and your base/case, white. OR you paint the ceiling and base/case one color, with the walls being the other color. The third option we have done is the walls and ceiling in white and the base/case in a truer color. SOOO many options!

Three Color

You can do one color on the ceiling, one color on the walls and then one color on your base/case! Most of the time it would be a waste to do this as you would normally do your white on the ceiling and the same as the white on the base/case. BUT…you could do the 3rd color on your DOORS:) 

Maybe the THREE colors would be fun in a playroom! The ceiling in a bright color, the walls in another fun color and then painting the base/case with yet another fun color!

Patterns

Paint stripes with the same color but different sheens, eggshell and semi-gloss. You can see the stripes because the sheens are different. You can do this with any kind of pattern you want!

Color Block Walls

We have done color block walls before as well. This is where you paint a true color up roughly ⅔’s  of the wall finishing the top ⅓ with the white of your ceiling. This adds a little visual interest with not much added cost!

Millwork

Your millwork walls should be painted in the higher sheen like your base/case. Such as shiplap…this should be painted in the satin/semi gloss finish. BUT, if you are doing an applied pencil mould treatment on the walls, you may want the drywall to be eggshell and the trim itself to be the satin or semi gloss. This will make the millwork stand out so beautifully.

Tips and Tricks

Paint can, and should, be fun…but there are some things you won’t want to forget as you make paint decisions.

• The texture of your drywall WILL affect the way your paint looks! If you have a heavier texture, you will want to opt for a lower sheen. With a smoother texture you can go with a higher sheen.
• Lower sheens will do a better job hiding imperfections than a higher sheen. 
• If you choose to paint an entire room a dark color there is no right or wrong way to do the ceiling, you could do it  light or dark, BUT you will want to use a lower sheen as darker colors will be more reflective in a higher sheen than lighter colors. 
• If you are painting a dark accent wall, make sure to paint the baseboard the same color. You don’t want this to stand out! This is typically only for dark accent walls. 
• If you opt for wallpaper on a wall, you NEED to prime first. This will make it so the wallpaper can be removed in the future without ruining the drywall.

I hope these tips and tricks will help you be informed and allow you to create beautiful spaces in your own home. Don’t forget to have fun and be creative!

Love, 

Alli

The post Primer to Perfection: The Ins and Outs of Paint appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

When building a home, you should have a team of professionals that you select to bring the house of your dreams to life. Spending the time necessary to research, will help you create the best team for you and your build!

This team should include an Architect, a Builder, an Interior Designer and a Landscape Architect (Yep! You heard me right! You want the landscape architect involved at the start of the process). 

This team will guide you throughout the process and assist you in making the very important decisions along the way and you avoid the pitfalls that can come.

Number 2 – Location, Location, Location 

You can have a beautiful home in a stinky location or a stinky home in a beautiful location, but why settle on either?. You can have both a beautiful home AND in a beautiful location! There are a lot of things to think about when choosing a location for your new build.

• How big do you want the lot to be?nbsp;
• Where can you get a lot the size you want?
• What can you afford to spend on the lot?nbsp;
• If you have kids, what are the schools in the area like?
• How close or far do you want to be from your family 😂
• How close do you want to be to the things you love to do?

If you plan for this to be your forever home, you won’t want to sacrifice on the location but remember it is ok to be patient if you can’t find the right location instantly. It is ok to hold off on a build because you haven’t found the right place yet.  Or if you find that it is better to buy and remodel, there is a market for that as well (you still need these top 5 things; the project scope may just change a little).

Number 3 – Beauty Within Your Budget

Understand the value of your budget – make sure you understand that the bottom line is not always the best choice. 

Often you can pull back on a design to make sure you aren’t cutting back on quality.  Understand that less (in cost) isn’t always better, doing it for less often means that you are getting less. Ask the questions!! What do you give up when you choose a lesser bid People don’t just do things for less.

Know where you want to splurge ahead of time! 

Decide the areas where you are willing to spend a little more and then the areas where you are willing to back off. You want to make sure you have all your needs met but also satisfy as many of your wants as you can within your budget!

Number 4 – Patience is a Virtue

Be patient with the process and trust your team! You hired the experts to do what they do best, allow them the space and trust them to do what you hired them to do with your input and guidance. 

The only poor question is the one that you don’t ask. Your team doesn’t know what you don’t know unless you tell them that you don’t know. (Did you get that 😂) 

I promise you won’t look dumb when you ask questions about things you don’t understand. Being willing to ask the questions will only benefit you in the building process. 

Then, always remember no build goes perfectly – there will be hiccups along the way that may cause delay…or turn into happy accidents!

Number 5 – Don’t Rush the Process

The building process will more than likely take longer than anticipated, plan on it taking longer from the start. It is important to schedule accordingly and I cannot emphasize enough to not hurry up your final walkthrough. 

You will want all the punch list items to be finished before you move in (see the blue tape on the glass and cabinet.. Not everything was finished on move in). Truthfully, it can be almost impossible to get things finished. Not because your team and contractors don’t want to get it done for you, but because those waiting on their homes to be completed get moved to the top of the list. It is definitely worth waiting until everything is complete to move into your beautiful new home. There will always be a few exceptions to this rule…but I still stand by it as an overall goal.

If you are wanting to build, currently building or plan to build, I truly hope that this will help you in your process of getting the home of your dreams! I’m ALWAYS here to answer any questions you might have, to the best of my ability!

Love,

Alli

The post My Top 5’s: My Top 5’s When Building a Home appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

It’s Not What’s on the Outside that Counts

True, but there is nothing like a well-planned exterior space to mirror the beauty of your living space to the nature that extends beyond the walls of your home! Even the smallest spaces can add a great deal of enjoyment and extra entertaining space as the weather beckons us all outside. Here’s how:

Think Outside the Box

When considering how to plan your outside spaces, think about how you would like to use them all year long. Think about the weather during the seasons in your area, about how you entertain and what experiences most appeal to you. Who will use the space If you have small children or pets, a play area, pool security, and enclosed areas should be considered. If you want to entertain often, think about gathering spots and areas where food can be easily served and enjoyed, lighting, cooling (ceiling fans or water misters) and seating. Focal points are just important outside as they are inside the house too, so consider a fireplace (as seen above) or a water feature of some kind to set the stage for your outdoor space!

All Hands on Deck

Your outdoor furniture is an investment, so keep in mind good quality when planning your exterior’s budget. Low profile furniture makes lounging comfortable but also ensures the pool can be easily scanned for little ones with minimal visual obstruction. Seasonal furniture should be stored when not in use and when well taken care of, can last many seasons. I like placing furniture in groupings designed for specific activities such as entertaining or sun-bathing, etc. so that the family and their guests can enjoy each space as intended.

Inside Out

Everything that makes your home comfortable and beautiful on the inside should be considered on the outside. Outdoor area rugs frame each space and add texture, softness, pattern and color to what is most likely a wide expanse of concrete underneath. Pillows, plants, and weather-friendly accessories add pops of color and encourage use of the space, though I like to keep the outdoor palette neutral (shocker!) so that the eye is encouraged to enjoy the nature around it. Whichever you prefer, your outdoor space is an extension of your home and should reflect the design and intention of the home’s interior space with purposeful thought.

Pool’s in Session

As summer approaches and the weather encourages outdoor gathering, you can create an exterior space that works for you! Pools, trampolines, playhouses, putting greens, and tennis courts are all nice to have in a backyard, but you can have a quality oasis just as easily with 3 square feet of grass or concrete too if you plan your space accordingly. I hope these pictures and thoughts have inspired you to create a thoughtful outdoor space that works for your family this summer. Have a wonderful sunshine season, I hope you make memories outside that you’ll cherish for years to come!

Love,

Alli

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TREND VS TIMELESS

We all have that one high school fashion moment or hairstyle that makes us cringe when we look at it now. Why is that It’s because we fell victim to the trend of the day, with no thought of how it would age over time. This too, is a mistake often made in home design, with big impact (and big price tag) items following trends that look dated and taste specific after just a few years. To avoid that error, the ACD style is one that is both classic and timeless in large-scale details such as flooring, countertops and finishes. I also give a nod to the trends in the more-easily replaced items such as bedding, artwork and accessories, keeping update costs minimal. Ask yourself: is this selection I am making going to be the AquaNet frosted, winged-hairstyle of the 80’s that I will have to wear for the next decade

YAWN VS YES

Classic does not have to mean boring. It is easy for neutral colors and classic palettes to appear bland and basic if there is not an intentional effort toward varying finishes and layers. A signature look in my work is that of texture; I layer colors using pillows, throws, accessories, draperies, and wall coverings. This creates an inviting space that is full of warmth and charm.

MIXING VS MATCHING

Lastly, my signature look always includes a mixture of patterns and textures. “Matching” items are limited by trends and can make a space appear forced or manufactured rather than elegant and timeless. When rugs and textiles and furniture appear to have been collected over time and not acquired through a catalog, the end result is a polished and curated one, the look that ACD is known for.

These are some of my favorite ACD looks that highlight the use of layers and textures and timeless silhouettes and finishes. Notice the classic choices on the big ticket items, and how these rooms have, and will, age over time. You can make wise choices using these guidelines and be well on your way toward having the ACD look in your own home, too!

Love, 

Alli

The post The ACD Look appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

9 TIPS to creating an awesome kitchenette. (cause 10 tips is silly)

TIP 1- Show intention for your space by adding a beautiful backsplash.

TIP 2- Two-tone cabinets are a fabulous way to ground your space while also making it look timeless. And let’s not forget that a splash of color will make the basement kitchenette feel light, bright and well designed!

TIP 3- Don’t forget to add in some amazing lighting. Lighting is often referred to as the jewelry of a home. And…who doesn’t love jewelry?!

TIP 4- Marry the spaces around it. This kitchenette was adjacent to the game room where a ping pong table, pool table and air hockey resided. So, we used the board games as decor, which brought in some whimsy to this classy kitchenette.

Design and decorate for your audience. If you’re home is filled with family often, create a space that encompasses them!

TIP 5- Draw the colors from the cabinetry to the furniture and decor. Color is your friend….treat him well! But on the flip side, simplicity with a punch of wow is definitely a great way to go as well!

TIP 6- Add details to the space to make it user friendly. Know your audience!! Lots of teenagers Make sure there are plenty of snacks handy and made visible….cause let’s be honest, they’re planning to raid your cupboards anyway!

TIP 7 – Don’t be afraid to mix up styles. The image below was a mountain modern home…I wanted the basement to feel warm and inviting. I blended whites with warm tones. Leather chairs, wood shelves, and greenery.

TIP 8- Color can be your friend! Don’t be afraid to try some color.

TIP 9- Don’t be afraid to try something new! In this last example, we didn’t want the kitchenette to be cut off from the great room feel of this basement. So a pony wall was the answer!! We got all we needed into this space and it still felt all inclusive. Tell me what you think Are you ready to create that kitchenette

P.S. I linked a bunch of the backsplash materials and lighting for you because I love you all!!

Alli 🙂

The post Kitchenette Design Tips appeared first on Allison Campbell Design.

Over the last several years, not only have stairs transformed into gorgeous design aspects of your home, but the space under the stairs has transformed as well! No longer is it just the storage room of yesteryear. There are so many ways to use that space that will benefit you! Now that homes are being designed with designated storage space, ie; under the porch cap, specific rooms in the basement planned for storage, large mechanical rooms that can house more than just the brains of the home, as well as an ever increasing amount of suspended slabs under the garage space that leave plenty of room for storage as well as even theater rooms. With all this new found space, I am finding that we are able to use the stairs as a fun space to fit your families needs. 

So what do I build under the stairs then?

I would say the first step is to determine your family’s needs. If it’s truly just storage that you need, then, by all means, leave it as just storage. But, if your family has a love of reading, take advantage of the space and build that. If you have young children or are entering the grandchild phase, maybe a playhouse is the right option for you. Or, depending on the location of said stairs, maybe a great little wet or dry bar is in order. I have also thought of some great storage solutions that aren’t just leaving a door at the end and adding no style to the space. Here is a link to some great options 42 Best Drawers under stairs images | Under stairs, Stairs …

Let’s talk about some of the options I’ve done recently here at Allison Campbell Design…

How about a playhouse!

So many different ways to make this place a playhouse come to mind, but the design of your stairs really determines how the playhouse can work in your home. Here are a few examples of playhouses based on the stair design in the home. Some of these pictures are finished products, some are concepts that are currently under construction and some are shots of the process! 

The pictures below are a great solution when your stairs are designed stacked with rooms on either side. This means you only have the front area to work within your design….but it’s not impossible!

This is another design that can work for the space under your stairs when your stairs are paralleled with a hallway. There’s not an adequate amount of space to really go crazy on the design since it’s in the walkway, but plenty of room to still make it adorable!

Here is the beginning of another playhouse that encompasses the room next to the stairs so the play area is larger.

These  three pictures had stairs that opened to a full basement area which made it easy and fun to design a full exterior to the playhouse with windows, doors, etc!

Basically, the idea is to have fun, work within the parameters of your stair layout and make the most of the space you have!

This Playhouse was on the back of a set of stairs with a landing. We followed the roofline of the exterior of the home and then built some shelving and hung the cutest light fixture!

My family members are avid readers! Build a reading nook…

There is another great way to use this space if you or members of your family love to read or just want a convenient lounging space. You can make this space a perfect little hangout with books accessible, lighting as needed, and a great cushion for comfort. You can even add drawers under the sitting bench for storage of any kind.

A cute little cushion will be added to this space for lounging with lots of comfy pillows as well! You can see, there is lots of storage at the end of the nook and below the bench for books. A light has been added to this space for late-night reading. Shiplap surrounds the space under your stairs to protect the drywall! With rambunctious kids and their heads and feet that can sometimes dent the walls!

What if you would like to make it fully functional for more of an adult crowd Here’s your answer…

I recently did a remodel in San Diego on a new construction home. The homeowners weren’t able to add some of the details they wanted during the process. They have a great area under their stairs on the main floor and wanted to take advantage of the space. My first thought was a great reading nook like the idea above! The homeowners loved the idea and that was the direction we were going. About 2 weeks before the remodel and the tear-out began, I received the funniest text from the homeowner. She said, “Allison, my husband and I have been talking and we really love the idea of the nook and feel like it’s a great use of that space. But the more we talked, the more we realized that our kids don’t like to read, but we like to drink!” Hahahaha…. I was dying laughing! Remember when I mentioned earlier that you should build to your needs Well, this is the perfect example of that! So, that is when the idea changed to a dry bar! We drew up the concept for the contractor to use and then he went to town on it!

The finished product is a fabulous dry bar with a wine fridge! Open shelving for storage of glasses and odds and ends. You can find additional wine storage at the end opposite the door. And of course, a keyed lock will be installed on the door to keep the young people out. This is great for entertaining and serving your guests on those fun occasions.  

The moral of the story

Sit down with your spouse, family members, friends, significant other…whomever, and decide what your needs are. Base your game plan off of those needs. Then, depending on the design of your stair layout, figure the best layout. That will take advantage of the space and give you the greatest overall design for your home. Don’t be afraid to try something new. The biggest mistake you can make is not stepping outside of your comfort zone! Or believing that you can make your home the best place possible for yourself and your loved ones! 

Jump….the result is soooo worth it!

XOXO

Allison

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Starting from the ground up, area rugs help to define the space in which you are placing your furniture. Often, the room will have another defining characteristic, but if not, an area rug can do the trick. Once the rug is placed in it’s appropriate location, typically centered in the room off of an entertainment center, fireplace, window, etc, you can now determine the placement of the pieces of furniture you have gathered. When placing your furniture, keep in mind the object and focus of the room. Is it meant for conversation, centered around the TV or another reason Once you have determined the room’s purpose, you can then begin the process of placing the furniture. You should create a setup that allows you to see everyone and everything around you as much as possible. This will give you the feeling of a more grounded and centered space, rather than haphazard placement and feeling lost in the large space. 

Not only should the space be inviting, but it should have a visual and functional flow that is soft, and moves your eye throughout the space.  The combination of soft curves of the furniture and straight lines of the rug, will help you achieve this without making the space feel isolated.  

COLOR, PATTERN, AND TEXTURE ARE YOUR FRIEND!

Without color, pattern, and texture your space may be left feeling bare or unfinished. Adding these elements to a large space will add depth and dimension which will bring the space to life. Rugs, artwork, and textiles are a perfect way to add a touch of each of these elements without making the space feel overwhelming. 

Let’s talk colors, every large space needs some warm confident colors. Even if it is a warm neutral color, this will still make your walls appear closer, rather than fading off into the distance. Distribute warm tones throughout the space to have a greater impact. 

Pattern can be a tricky one, but don’t be afraid to jump in! Pairing both large and small patterns will add contrast and help them stand out. A pattern is also a great way to add personality to your space. Our favorite way to add pattern is on small furniture pieces, window coverings, pillows, and throws!

All things texture, the more neutral the space, the more texture you are going to want. Texture can be complex through architectural elements, or as simple as textiles, plants, books, and other accessories. 

FOCAL POINTS + VISUAL INTEREST

In a large space with a lot of furniture it can be easy for your eyes to get lost. Having a focal point will redirect your eye and allow you to feel more in control. In large spaces it is also common for our eyes to naturally be drawn up. What better place to add visual interest than the ceiling Whether it is complex with shiplap and beams, or a simple lighting fixture, having visual interest on the ceiling will keep your eye moving through the space, and redirect it back to your focal point. 

Scale and weight also play a huge role visually. Having a combination of large and heavy items along with smaller or lighter pieces will add visual weight and help anchor the space. Adding a large ottoman or coffee table to the center of the space can go a long way. 

Lighting is another great way to add visual interest and make your space feel cozy and personal. Whether it is a floor lamp, table lamp, fun chandelier, or a simple sconce, lighting will add the perfect touch in making your space feel intimate and cozy!

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