Category Archives: home

Late Summer 2025 Tablescape Ideas!

28 Thursday Aug 2025

Posted by in decor, home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, Lifestyle, outdoors, real estate, seasons, summer, Uncategorized

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For August tablescapes, embrace that end of summer feel with fresh fruit like lemons or peaches. Add vibrant citrus colors like yellow and orange. Other options include a coastal theme with blues and whites, or a tropical vibe using greenery and bold, bright colors. For a natural touch, use earthy tones with wooden elements and greenery like eucalyptus or palm leaves.
 

Fruitful & Citrus Themes

  • Lemon/Citrus Accents:. Scatter whole lemons or use them in a decorative arrangement with flowers and candles for an effortless, elegant look. 
  • Peach & Berry Tones:. Use shades of peach, and other berries, to create a warm and late-summer feel. 

Coastal & Tropical Vibes 

  • Coastal: Use a soothing color palette of soft blues, whites, and sandy neutrals, and add elements like seashells or starfish as accents.
  • Tropical: Incorporate lush greenery, vibrant tropical flowers like orchids, and textured elements like bamboo or rattan to create a paradise feel.

Earthy & Natural Elements

  • Greenery: Use fresh herbs, leafy plants, or palm leaves to add a natural, fresh touch. 
  • Wooden Accessories: Incorporate wooden elements for a rustic or earthy vibe. 
  • Natural Materials: Use simple white dishes and natural accents for a fresh, clean look. 

Color Palettes 

  • Warm & Bright: Combine sun-kissed yellows, oranges, and pops of pink for a cheerful and vibrant tablescape.
  • Cool & Refreshing: Use hues of blue, turquoise, and crisp white to evoke a refreshing summer feel.
  • Light & Airy Neutrals: Soothe and ground your table with earthy tones that complement vibrant summer colors.

For all your interior design needs contact Steven Edward Wallace Design – 925 915 1005 or stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com or on Instagram @stevenedwardwallacedesign

Sit On It!

09 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in furniture, home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, Lifestyle, outdoors, real estate, seasons, Uncategorized

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There are so many fun and innovative ideas this year for seating that truly redefine our living spaces. The concept of matching chairs at a dining table or the traditional three-cushion sofa are being left behind. Designers are exploring new ways to look at how we sit and live in our homes. Modular seating arrangements adapt to various social settings. Unique materials blend comfort with artistic flair. These modern solutions emphasize both aesthetics and functionality. Multi-purpose furniture is also becoming more popular. This trend allows for flexible living arrangements. It caters to the demands of contemporary lifestyles. It also enhances the overall ambiance of your space.

Here are just a few seating ideas I’ve found recently that I love:

leatherwirediningchair

This wire and British Racing Green dining chair from Overgard & Dyrman is classic English style and luxury! The combination of leather with thin legs gives it a strong, masculine yet airy appearance.

Svensectional

The SVEN sectional, shown in Grass Green – what a combination of classic design and Mid Century Modern influence. Large enough to stretch out on but a space saving footprint. And you should see it in their blue and purple!  Wow!

Moroccanfloorpillows

Moroccan style floor pillows are back! Why be limited to sitting on the furniture when you can plop anywhere you like? Great for conversation and lounging with friends. Adding the burst of color and pattern will upgrade any room.

Aphrochichanging

Organic and boho style upholstered rope porch swing will make your summer an experience. Use outdoor spaces as another room and just fall asleep under the stars! From AphroChic.

Chunky, sexy and modern – this dining chair from By Design connects traditional design with a space age shape. Pair them with a glass dining table or enjoy just one in a library setting and settle in!

Steven Edward Wallace is a full service interior designer. He is ready to take a concept and design dreams from just an idea to reality. Contact us at 925 915 1005, at stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com or Instagram @stevenedwardwallacedesign.

Design Trends For Summer 2025

10 Tuesday Jun 2025

Posted by in decor, design ideas, furniture, home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, Lifestyle, outdoors, real estate, seasons, style, summer, trends, Uncategorized

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Summer 2025 interior design trends include natural materials. They also feature soft neutrals and organic shapes. There is a move towards more sustainable and recycled styles. Color palettes will feature earthy tones, verdant greens, azure blues, and unexpected accents like soft blues and chartreuse. Curves, arches, and organic shapes will be prominent, alongside statement lighting and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.

Colors and Palettes:

  • Soft Naturals and Sun-Kissed Neutrals: Warm, earthy tones like browns, tans, and creams will dominate.
  • Unexpected Accents: Azure blues and verdant greens will offer a grounding yet unexpected element.
  • Color Drenching: Embrace a single color across walls, floors, and furniture. Buttery yellows are a popular choice for a warm and luminous effect.
  • Nautical and Botanical Patterns: Botanical and nautical patterns will bring a summery feel to interiors.

Materials and Textures:

  • Natural Materials: Wood, stone, linen, and other natural materials will continue to be popular for their grounding and comfortable feel.
  • Statement Stone: Statement pieces made of stone, like sculptural side tables or marble fireplaces, will add visual interest.
  • Sustainable and Recycled: There’s a growing emphasis on incorporating eco-friendly materials like reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metals.
  • Wavy and Scallop Shapes: Curves, arches, and soft, undulating shapes are found in furniture, decor, and lighting. These elements will add a touch of whimsy. These shapes also give visual interest.

Furniture and Decor:

  • Statement Lighting: Unique and eye-catching lighting fixtures will take center stage.
  • Indoor-Outdoor Living: Creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces will continue to be a popular trend.
  • Wellness Spaces: Dedicated spaces for relaxation and well-being, such as yoga studios or spa-like bathrooms, will become more common.
  • Furniture: Updated upholstered furniture, like headboards and velvet stools, will add a touch of luxury and softness.
  • Earthy-toned Maximalism: Mixing patterns, colors, and textures, often inspired by global influences, will continue to be a trend.

For all your design needs contact Steven Edward Wallace Design @stevenedwardwallacedesign, email @ stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com or call 925.915.1005

The Livin’ Is Easy!

03 Thursday Aug 2023

Posted by in home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, Lifestyle, outdoors, real estate, seasons, summer

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Remember this song? “Summer time … and the livin’ is easy.” I always loved the slow swaying movement of that song. It fit the weather – hot, humid and heavy with the smells of summer: BBQ, tanning lotion, bug spray and campfires.

Growing up in the Midwest, summer was brief and we had to make the most of it. Boating on the lake, camping on the beach, laying out under the stars, hoping to catch a tan before school started up. It was a happier time, not because it was the “good old days” but because when you are young without much worry or stress, life is just simpler.

And that’s what’s so awesome about this time of year. We get outside, we enjoy the sunshine, the friendship, the laughs. We roast s’mores. We jump off docks into freezing lakes. We rock on the front porch. Our stress levels drop and for a brief time our life is simple again.

Here are just a few design ideas to incorporate into your home this season.. Take time to make your livin’ easy and embrace life outdoors!

summertimeadirondacks

Adirondack chairs are an American classic and fit into any outdoor decor. I love these green painted ones. They are inviting down a flagstone walkway to the fire pit. Place them in the middle of the  garden or the end of the dock or just simply out on the lawn.

summertimeopenwindow

Make your outdoor dining fun and easy. Poolside … this inventive swing up window is great for a walk up bar. By day, it’s ice cream and lemonade, at night, it’s cocktails and finger food. 

summertimestringlights

Modern, simple and elegant – a glass of wine, string lights and a hot August night. What more could you want? Candles set the mood for romance or just star-gazing. As the evenings cool, grab a blanket and stay out til dawn!

summertimepots

Have a boring patio or porch? Colorful container pots let you make your own statement. Group assorted sizes for a real designer look. Great for small spaces, apartment living or celebrating a summer holiday.

How To Update A Small Bathroom!

25 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, real estate

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Recently I was asked by a client to help with a bathroom remodel they badly needed. We were unable to enlarge the space due to adjoining rooms, but she wanted to know – “How can I make a small space look bigger than it is?”

Bathrooms can be tricky because there is rarely much continuous, uninterrupted space. Mirrors, shower doors, tub surrounds can all make the room seem cut up. If you don’t need a bathtub, remove the shower/tub combo and create a big walk in shower.

Square tiles are currently a trending look. Use large format tiles, 18″ or more, if possible. Keep the grout lines to a minimum and match your grout to your tile for a more cohesive look. Laying subway style horizontally elongates a room, while installing vertically gives you a visual of volume. . Be careful with mixing patterns. If you like a marble look quartz counter top, use a simpler floor tile.

I’ve never been a fan of the vessel sink, the ones that sit on top of the vanity. They add another dimension that is just not needed and waste counter space. For a classic, clean look use simple, wide porcelain under mount sinks.  Wall mounted cabinets expose more floor space – their minimal footprint modernizes any space!

Color is important… gaudy colors are not helpful when you first wake up in the morning! Paint your bath a soothing color like ochre, cream or anything organic in base. Strive for that spa, Zen like feeling. If you need color, bring it in with your towels and counter accessories.

Lighting is also key, not only in how it can affect the look of the space, but how it reflects YOU. Install a few ceiling can lights, but also add sconces to the left and right of the mirror. This lighting is very flattering and makes putting on makeup or shaving easier by lighting the whole face, and not leaving shadows on the lower half.

Store anything and everything you can away. Cut out niches in the walls make use of even the littlest available space. Stow toiletries away when not in use.  Open shelving lets light through. Remember, clutter is the enemy here. Towels rolled in a basket keep them fresh and tidy. Always use frameless shower doors – another easy and effective change, it will open up your room like nothing else.

For more tips and design ideas, contact Steven Edward Wallace Design!

Holiday Design Trends 2022

28 Monday Nov 2022

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The holidays are nearly upon us. As we pull old decorations from storage, it’s a good time to explore the latest design trends to liven up your home and entertaining this year!

3 creative ideas to make this holiday unlike any before:

Tweak your Christmas colors: We all know red and green as the colors of the season. This year explore the whole palette available to you.  Silver and white are very hot this season and always a sharp and sophisticated element to transition into New Years Eve.  Introduce a chocolate color into your holiday décor.  Not only does it add warmth and modernism to the room, it brings that organic feeling inside.  Keep to tones that suggest a culinary experience, like latte, cocoa or cinnamon.  Have fun experimenting with ornaments in stripes, polka dots or abstract designs.

Twist your tree: We all like to unwrap the ornaments and discovering the one that’s been in the family for generations, brought home from vacation or made in grade school.  This year, do something completely unexpected.  Decorate your tree in only one color or with just blue lights.  I’ve seen trees hung from the ceiling upside down, completely covered in high heels or with dog toys. Metallics are a huge trend this season. Revive the pink aluminum tree from the ’60s!  Consider purchasing a live tree in a pot and plant it outside after the holidays.  It’s renewable and enjoyable year around!

Party like it’s 2023: The key word this season is innovation.  Mix things up and keep the energy high.  Throw a costume party and invite guests to come as their favorite holiday character.  Decorate the house in a fiesta theme but make it black tie.  Ask friends and family to bring the tackiest ornament they can find and have a prize for the most outlandish!  Mix and match your dishes and glasses or add tropical prints to the holiday décor.  Put palm fronds in a vase with pine cones and ban poinsettias from the property.

Christmas hat and coconut cocktail.

Whatever you do, have fun!  Enjoy the love & laughter of friends and family and happy holidays to all.

My Personal Design Inspirations!

14 Friday Oct 2022

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As we head toward the last months of 2022, I want  to share a few of my favorite design elements and inspirations.  Enjoy!

Favorite individual piece –The 54” Braziliance Commode is a two drawer cabinet designed by Dorothy Draper, one of the most iconic interior designers of the 20th century. Originally created in 1939 for the Quitandinha Resort in Sao Paulo,Brazil, the styling captures the South American craze that swept the USA in the 30’s and 40’s. With classic oversized acanthus leaves, carved serpentine moldings and a shell carving in the center, it exudes class and sophistication. Approximately $7000 through your design professional.

Braziliance Commode

Favorite color – No doubt about it, there is nothing that can beat basic black. This one color goes with every design style and brings out the best in any fabric or finish. Use it in high gloss for the dining room with a funky crystal chandelier, in a soft gray tinted black for that sexy, sophisticated bedroom or an upholstered slick mid-century chair in plush black velvet. This is the hottest in color for an all around perfect accent in your home.

Favorite new trend – After more than a  few years of gray and beige, I’m seeing the re-emergence of stripes and florals in vivid colors – and not a moment too soon. Mixing a bright, fun palette in unusual combinations, these patterns are bringing life and excitement back to interior design. Whether it’s a sign of our improved emotional state after the last couple of tough years, or just imagination gone wild, it’s great to see their return. Use these colorful, fresh fabrics everywhere, from dining room chairs, to throw pillows or even wallpaper your powder room for that wow factor.

 Favorite design era – The 1930’s have always fascinated me. It was a time of incredible wealth as well as a time of belt-tightening. Simple living was balanced with opulent design. People gravitated to the movies to escape, and the movie sets were over the top.  You cannot watch a Busby Berkeley musical without being amazed at the creativity and fantasy. The extensive use of metallics, glass and mirrors into the home brought a new brilliance into design. Throw into the mix the most creative time of Frank Lloyd Wright, Corbusier and The Bauhaus. What more could you ask for?

Favorite place for inspiration –PARIS! What more can you say? Not only does the City of Lights spark romance, it’s also the catalyst for design inspiration. The history, the architecture, the furniture shops and the famous flea markets all add up to the best place in the world to feel creative. Only the French can make design look so effortless. Whether you purchase a trinket or bring home a container of French antiques, anyone can feel special with a bit of Paris in their homes. There are numerous, beautiful coffee table books on French style. Check them out.

Parisian Style

Embrace the things that are your personal favorites. Make your home fun, the place you love to come home to and most of all your inspiration. Take the time to explore and learn new concepts, ideas and trends. You’ll be glad you did.