The Dream Team of Interior Design

We've recently expanded our skilled production staff with 6 more great employees!  We're pulling out all the stops when it comes to home and business interiors, with the best in the biz to execute our innovative design plans!  Adding to our already great furniture prep people and seamstresses, we now have 2 upholsterers, drapery seamstresses, 2 carpenters, and a welder!  Yes, there is a place for the welder, although it does seem a little random, but here are some visual examples of what we'll be keeping him busy with:

Bob is the master behind the metal.  He's creative and talented in his art and always open minded to any crazy sketch up I give him to make come to life!

Carpentry is a big deal in both our furniture division and interior design services.  We brought on the best for this and their quality of work shows it!  Phil is our lead carpenter.  He has his college degree in Architecture and has amassed a great deal of experience in his career path prior to La Dolce Villa.  His talent is truly great and he shares my love for salvaged architectural elements..which you can expect to see a lot of from us in 2012.  I'm very excited to showcase one of my favorite design styles of rescued relics paired with modern/contemporary elements, or with ornate/traditional styles. Randy is our other skilled carpenter.  He also has years of construction experience and works wonders with wood.  Wainscoting?  Built in Libraries?  Done and done.  With the skills of Phil and Randy, the more complicated and elaborate re-design projects just got much more stream-lined and efficient.  We're happy to do add-ons, build out, or built ins, all for a tiny fraction of anyone else in the biz.

Moving on to the softer side of design...our high end seamstresses quickly whip up the most beautiful window treatments we design.  They do impeccable work and are an amazing asset to our staff.  If I can draw it, they can sew it!  We've dramatically cut the cost on custom window work by having our own seamstresses.

We've made our name in wood furniture, especially case goods. But we're very excited to show you what we can do in soft seating and all forms of upholstery.  Having two trusted upholsters on staff, we've got your sofas, chairs, and headboards covered! The guys can tuft, tuck, stitch, and fix anything to perfection.

 It's been a fab 2011 bringing my childhood dream of design to fruition.  I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with the best clients here in Colorado.  The new year is already bringing about some great growth for La Dolce Villa, I can't wait to show you what we have in store!  We're doing something different in design.. staffing our own people keeps costs of the project incredibly affordable, while making a look, functionality, and overall style, uniquely different than anything you have seen before, but can't live without!

Brown Paper Packages...

When it comes to gifting, for me it's not just about what's on the inside that counts.  In fact, I think I spend more time preparing the way it's wrapped than I do actually shopping for the gift itself!  I love the presentation factor and as mentioned in a few posts back, i'm weak when it comes to anything well packaged in a store..regardless what the product is.  I LOVE masterfully marketed stuff.  I'm pretty sure i've wasted a lot of money on well presented crap.  But when my husband starts complaining about it, I just let him know that all is not lost, great design inspiration comes from it and i'm sure i'll find some resourceful way to make use of the ridiculously overpriced chocolate, or soap, bath salts, and butter!  These seem to be the types of things I find well wrapped up with pretty papers and bows :)  For example:

I walk into a retail space sometimes not knowing that I needed suckers or some whoopie pies...until I see these beauties...and then I think, sure..why not?!

This is especially the case in just about any type of boutique anywhere, and TJ Maxx stores...loads and LOADS of packaged stuff overstock from major department stores and manufacturers.  I don't mind that the once edible contents inside my be stale and outdated or broken... It's all about the branding on the outside, which to me boosts the value of what's on the inside.  I understand that there are much savvier shoppers than I, who don't fall victim to such ploys...we all have our guilty pleasures though ;)

Taking this well wrapped idea, we can apply it to much more personally constructive (and less frivilous), avenues.  The overpriced obsession I have has inspired a great deal of creativity when it comes to birthday, Christmas, or 'just because', gift giving..actually gift wrapping opportunities.  This does not have to be an expensive endeavor, it's all about decorating the outside, being resourceful, ingenuitive, and even personal, more than it is about adding a lot of cost to the gift and blowing your budget you had for the item in the first place.

I consider it a gift within a gift!  It enhances the overall experience and makes receiving the item all the more exciting and enjoyable.  Who dosn't like a little (or a lot) of eye candy?!  These are some of my favorite inexpensive ideas present a package with major pizazz:

Quick Video Tutorial on how to Make these Adorable Yarn Pom Poms!  

This is not me..Full credit Goes to "Art of Crochet by Teresa". 

Super Simple and Easy to Follow Step-by-Step:

The other side to gifting this flashy way, shows the recipient that you went to extra effort to make it special for that person.  This sentiment is often not lost on the receiving end (as long as they are at least 12+ years old) :).

On a grander scale, consider your home or business the packaging, and the people inside are the gift!  A well appointed space adds to the overall experience of all those who enter, exponentially.  In a business sense, aren't you more likely to buy a random unnecessary item in a beautiful boutique setting like this?

A lot of people want to be part of the overall experience they are surrounded by.  Purchasing a service or merchandise from a space that it visually intriguing, often gives that person a piece of that feeling they experienced that they can take with them.  Our 5 senses are key in productive design.  Obviously, sight is the most important, so give the guests to your home and/or business something to feast their eyes on.  A space with just enough details and a look that is not expected, or predictable.  It's much more exciting to walk into an area that has an overall look that most couldn't even imagine and is not a replicated look from page 16 of 'that' catalog.  This also leaves a mark in their memories, which helps with them spreading the word about your space, and remembering who you or your business are. 

Baby's Got Back!

I have a particular love affair with stylish seating..although I can probably say that same statement about any type of furniture...But this post is about chairs, so I'll stick with that for today :)  One trend in seating I am obsessing over is the contrast backs.  That is an unofficial term for this style, but I like it and will use it ..if you do..please 'footnote' me after using it..just kidding of course!  Since pictures speak more than words, this is what I mean by 'contrast backs'...

One of my favorite examples of this look is in this chair aabove.  I love the pattern on pattern and the colors.  So pretty!  Sure it's not for everyone and it makes quite a statement in a room, but for the daring I think it's a DO :)

I feel like this is a great way to add an unexpected pop of pattern (or maybe just color) to any space.  It's not too much that it overwhelms the chair or the overall design.  Also, since it's just a small portion of the chair, it's a very inexpensive way to add new life to the room or just that particular piece of furniture.  If you're a daring DIY'er, you can totally tackle this one yourself.  Or for a fraction of the cost of a full reupholstery, a professional can do the job for you.  If you're anything like me and you like to change big and little details in your home as often as you change your socks..this is the perfect piece to switch out every season or every style change..as that is ever evolving for me!

As with most areas of design, there are no rules to how to add a fun bit of accent to the chair.  It looks amazing to have it just on the back rest (front side), like this chair with the fab vintage text in gold..LOVE!

The monogram on the back of these gorgeous lavender chairs is a perfect touch:

I just HAD to include this example as well since it's so fun! 

Using a simple or crisp color scheme, the contrast back style can be beautifully applied to an entire dining set without looking busy or garish.  I love the well appointed look of this set and room:

What do you think of the idea of a Contrast Back (or front)?  Would you apply this look to a piece(s) in your home?  We would love to hear your feedback!  Visit us on facebook to join the conversation, click on  the link below to take you there:

Be Part of the Conversation on our FB Page! Click On this!

More WOW for your Walls!

Just like in the Fashion Industry, trends in interiors are constantly evolving with new products and ideas introduced to the market, and what's old is new again.  This is what keeps me as a designer on my toes and causes my design style to change constantly, while still maintaining my signature aesthetic.  I love the latest and greatest when it comes to most anything, especially when what's new is a fresh take on something old (hence our original furniture pieces)!  One trend that has surfaced over the past several months (and is gaining more momentum now than ever) is Wallpaper.  It was an outdated trend, but luckily for all us pattern-loving people it's now been fabulously updated!  Take a look at these swanky spaces....

Liquid Metallic Wallpaper by Crezana!...YES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artessen

Wrting on the Wall

Murano Glass Bead Wallpaper!!!

 

Glittered walls??!!  I NEED YOU like Oxygen!  Such a beautiful dream come true!

Typology Wallpaper by Wall &Deco

Not just the look of wallpaper has been reinvented, but the quality of it, especially when it comes to it's application.  If you are a DIY'er you're going to love this latest trend and advancement to what's behind the pattern and how to hang and remove these pretty papers.  It's all about the 'Self-Adhesive' wallpapers now.  Yes!  No more back breaking, sticky, time consuming, nightmare when you are ready to change up the wall and tear the stuff down! YAY!!!  One company who specializes in self sticking papers market is Tempaper.  Self adhesive wallpapers are like glorified contact paper, or massive vinyl decals (only in application, not quality, since the outer finish is like traditional wall paper).   Take a looksy at these 8 colors/patterns Tempaper currently offers:

They are not for the shy guy (or girl)!  But because these surely pack a design punch, it's quite convenient that you don't have to fret over their permanancy,  Slap some up in a niche, on an accent wall, backsplash, etc. then simply pull it off when you grow tired of it!  I would definitely re-apply the removed paper to the original paper backing for later use.  That's 'green' to me :)!  Quick side note... speaking of the aformentioned vinyl decals..sad to say..they are on their way out..well actually...they're just out.  Luckily, they are easy to remove without tearing up your walls! 

My all time favorite sources for stylish wallpapers is Bloompapers.  This is a MUST checkout!  Here are some samples of what i'm talking about :)

Bloompapers

I told you so! L-O-V-E!!!!

Wallpaper is not the only new options for decking those walls out.. we're seeing a lot of painted patterns, typography, painted wall treatments again (new faux..not so much of the sponging variety..).  Basically, if it can be painted on the wall, it's posh.  I like that this trend is much more authentic than it's vinyl prediseter.  It's not just wall art, it's complete artisan walls with A LOT of 'WOW'!

This next wall idea isn't for everyone, but i'm drawn to it because I love nail head trim.  I think this would work well in a den or a small room.  We would LOVE  to hear your thoughts on nail head walls, is it a 'DO' or a 'DON'T '?..Even if not for your home do you think it's too much or tastefully unique?

Just like in all things trendy, you're best not to jump on the bandwagon of all the latest.  I like to infuse the latest in to all my spaces both commercial areas and home interiors, in key spots here and there, only using those trends that are most relavent to it's surroundings and purpose.  Pick an idea that blends well with the existing look and does not look too forced.  Nobody likes to see a grandma wearing teenager clothing....