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My Personal Design Inspirations!

14 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by Steven Wallace in home, interior design, Uncategorized

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decor, home, home decor, interior design, lifestyle, real estate, trending

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.

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Hello Room, Nice To Meet You!

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by Steven Wallace in Uncategorized

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Tags

decorating, design, designblog, homedecor, lifestyle, living, renovation


Sometimes we have to look at our rooms like we have never met before. We live in our homes every day and often need to step away to get a fresh perspective -the placement of furniture, color on the walls, carpet on the floor. Could being too familiar with your home be holding you back from creating the rooms you really want?

For many of us, it’s hard to make the effort to redecorate because the idea alone exhausts us. We give up before even beginning. This is sad, as our environment should stimulate us and provide us with enjoyment, not be a burden.

Look at 3 easy ways to get yourself out of a funk and get your design mojo on:

Take a break. When I go on vacation, I love the feeling of coming back home and walking into the house. I see the rooms and furnishings differently after a short absence. Sometimes I look around and am pleased, but often I see things that I didn’t notice before – like how a chair fabric takes on a different hue or how the sunlight is washing a wall. Not everyone can take a holiday, but even a small time away, even a work day, can give you the break you need. Play a game with your family. Ask them to  turn away and describe the room. Then have them turn back. What they see when really looking can be very revealing and it may tell you where to start!

For more info: stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com

Stow it away. There is an old rule that applies to fashion and travel. When you dress in the morning, look in the mirror and remove one accessory. When you pack, take one thing our of the suitcase before closing. In both cases, that extra item wasn’t needed at all. The same thing with interior design. Clutter is the enemy. Over time you may have collected one too many vases/pictures/plants. Just by removing that one thing, you have changed the dynamics of the room. One less pillow, one less gift from your Mother-in-Law and eventually you will see the space and shape of the room, not just what’s in it. This is a big move to understand the potential for creating a fresh new space.

Forget the rules. Nowhere is it carved in stone that the bed has to be on the “bed wall” or the cocktail table in front of the sofa. Play with your space, move things around, try seeing your rooms as more than you think they are. Recently a friend bought a small condo with a sleeping alcove but no place for a dining table. We removed the bed, got him a sleeper sofa and made the alcove into a real place for dining. Suddenly he was able to utilize the whole space. When he entertained, he  could accommodate more people. By letting the sofa do double duty, he made three usable areas out of two.. Consider your rooms and what they could be if there weren’t labels attached. Open your mind to what they could be. How fun is that?

By doing these few things, you will be on your way to exciting new rooms and be ready for your best life Any journey begins with the first step. But don’t just take a step – make the leap!

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Doin’ It Old School!

10 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by Steven Wallace in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

architecture, decor, decorating, design blogs, fabric, furniture, home, interior design, lifestyle, living, Paint colors, real estate

At the end of 2014, I decided to close my design business. I felt that maybe I had nothing more to say, that after over 25 years I was not in tune with what was happening in the design industry – so much had changed over the years in the process of how we deal with clients.

I was offered a position with an interior design firm based in San Francisco, a newly created job title that looked to be perfect for me and what I had to bring to the table from my years of experience. I was not hired as a designer, but more on the business end: prospecting, bringing in new clients, marketing, handling social media. As a real people person, I knew I could nail this job: networking, being the “face” of the company and selling it … after all, this was a big aspect of what had made me successful all those years.

From the beginning, the designers approach was not to interact with potential new clients, but have me sign them, collect the retainer, note the clients needs and bring that info to the team. Then the design team would start the process: determining a worksheet of needs, coming up with a concept design, sourcing …  but all of this without ever actually having met the new client or been to the job site. And from there, it was to be handled all by email, texts, video conferencing and linking the client to sites, such as Pinterest, where they could view the sourced furnishings, and make notes.

At first it seemed to me a novel idea, very forward thinking and almost cutting edge in it’s modernness! I signed four new clients in a matter of months and the design firm was thrilled.

But, it didn’t take long before things began to unwind … the new clients were unhappy. They felt they weren’t being heard – “Why couldn’t they actually talk in person to the designers?” Miscommunication became a huge issue, over-designing ran rampant … and it’s not hard to understand how that happened. Personal interaction had disappeared from the process.

I started to get frustrated as well. I had sold our company as being unique and cutting edge, and yet now I was having to defend … and it wasn’t easy to do.

Clients started to leave us.

At a team meeting to discuss this issue, I suggested an actual “in person” meeting … face to face.  How about suggesting a night to come to the job site with pizza, sit down and TALK, see how they react to concepts and ideas … watch the subtle movement of their eyes and follow their body language to understand what was working for them and what was confusing?

And the design team said to me “Wow, that’s so old school!” Later on, when a client requested that they needed just one room spelled out in a way they could follow: what furniture, what paint colors, pricing, time line …  I heard ” Oh, that’s the way it used to be done.”

Needless to say, that fabulous new job at the start of last year didn’t work out. Now, in the beginning of 2016 – I am resurrecting my interior design business. I’ve learned something very important, I guess one of those life lessons you don’t think you need to learn until you do.

I’M DOIN’ IT OLD SCHOOL!

interior design_2

Interacting face to face with clients.  Seeing how they live, entertain, their family interaction. Coming to them with actual fabrics, samples and materials that they can see and touch. We are a tactile people, not everything can be experienced virtually. I want to see their reactions, gauge their responses in person – let them know I am listening and that I get it.

It’s going to be an exciting year for the new and improved Steven Edward Wallace Design. Now I see that I still have something to contribute, that one on one connections still count for a lot, especially in a business as personal and creative as interior design.

So, in 2016, here’s to remembering what still works: personal relationships and never forgetting that often “old school” can be very modern!

 

 

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Get Ready for A Great 2016!

17 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Steven Wallace in Uncategorized

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Tags

2016, California, decorating, design blogs, Holiday decorating, holidays, home, Ideas, interior design, lifestyle, New Year, pets, real estate

It’s almost a new year, can you believe it? Time to get ready for the best year of your life! Make 2016 a great one with these 5 ideas for your home:

OUT WITH THE OLD
If you haven’t worn it or used in in a year, you probably won’t. But maybe someone else can!  Donate clothes, housewares, books to a local charity. Many come to you – it just takes a phone call.

OUR PETS ARE FAMILY, TOO
You change your sheets on a regular basis – do the same for your furry friends. Wash that dog and cat bed or pop for a new one.  They can’t tell you, but they love a clean sleeping place as much as you do!

happy-new-years-eve-2016-images

FIGHT THOSE BLUES
Some of us are prone to the winter blues, especially after the holidays. Don’t let dreary days get you down.  Move your favorite reading chair near a window. Find the sunniest area in your kitchen and keep a small potted plant there. You will enjoy seeing it every morning and it gives you something to care for – a sure way to fight depression.

KEEP IT SAFE
It’s easy to let home maintenance go.  Make sure all your doors and window close and lock properly to avoid drafts. Check for places where you or a guest could trip, a loose threshhold, water pooling on the front porch, a tear in the carpet. Can’t fix it?  Replace it!

PLAN YOUR YEAR
Anticipation keeps us excited! Mount a large white board calendar in your ofice or kitchen where everyone can keep  track of upcoming vacations, parties, birthdays. Studies have shown we work harder when we have a goal to look forward to.

Make your new year the best one yet – and keep following us for great ideas and design in 2016!

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5 Tips For An Organized Life

12 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by Steven Wallace in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

advise, architecture, decor, decorating, design blogs, home, Houzz, interior design, lifestyle, living, organize, real estate

In todays crazy and busy world, keeping your home in order helps you handle stress.  These 5 easy things can be easily accomplished and keep you on track to deal with your day!

1) Check your coat and shoes at the front door. Even if you don’t have a closet near the front door, you can keep it clutter free. Place shoes on a mat or in a basket to keep them out of the way and easily accessible.

2) Make your bed every day. Studies have shown that people who make their bed on a daily basis start the day feeling good about themselves. If you don’t have a lot of time, simply pull up the comforter and straighten the pillows.

3) After showering, squeegee the walls and glass and get a start on keeping the shower clean. Keep shampoos and face scrubs all in one place, and limit the amount.  You don’t need four different shampoos in the shower all at one time!

4) Be a creature of habit and put your keys in the same place every time you walk through the door. Doing so will save time and eliminate frustration. A small tray or  dish on the counter or the entry table works perfectly.

5) Plan in advance what you’ll have for dinner. I write down at the beginning of the week what every nights meal will be. Not only will I be prepared, but it can be fun to anticipate your evening and not worry when your family asks “What’s for dinner?”

Getting and keeping your home organized doesn’t have to be stressful. Setting aside 30 minutes a day can help keep your living space organized and your sanity intact!

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