An Online Interior Design Blog

Bookshelf Styling – Before and After

I’ve talked about bookshelf styling in previous posts, as well as working with client existing pieces. This post is a combination of both, i.e. a bookshelf styling project where my client owned plenty of her own eye-catching pieces. However, as you can see in the “before” pictures below, the shelves felt unfinished and lacked cohesion, which is why she reached out to me.

What would you do with these shelves? What do you feel is missing?

Though it may seem obvious, most clients who come to me for help almost always overlook one of the main elements in bookshelf styling…BOOKS. If you’re not a big reader and don’t have your own books, don’t worry — thrift stores such as Goodwill have tons and tons of books at very reasonable prices. Or if you’re like me and want to order everything online, try booksbythefoot or home decor stores like Wayfair. For a cohesive feel, use books that are all in a similar color way, e.g.

https://www.shopsocietysocial.com/collections/for-the-love-of-blue-white

Or for a more eclectic feel, use a mix of books, e.g.

Nathan James Wood 5-Shelf Ladder Wall Bookshelf Light Brown

Next, determine your accent colors. In the first example above, the blue books are accented by gold, natural wood tones, and white. The second example has a more neutral palette of beiges, browns, whites/off-whites with just a few pops of muted blues.

When you have your books and have decided on a color palette, start arranging the items. I typically aim for 2-3 *groups* per shelf — note: not 2-3 individual items, but groups of 2-3 items.

Now let’s take a look at my project:

Bookshelf Styling Mockup by Black Cat Interiors

Most of her existing items were black, white, blue or wood toned – so that’s the color palette I worked with. When styling bookshelves, it’s important to repeat the colors in the palette throughout the shelves for a cohesive feel. I repeated black and white with books, art, photo frames, and other accessories such as vases. I repeated blue with agate bookends and one of the art pieces. I repeated wood tones with decorative boxes, a bowl, and one additional basket. I also repeated greenery — there was one existing plant, so I added a few more to complement the one that she had.

For a cohesive feel across separate shelf units like hers (i.e. one on the left side of the fireplace, and one on the right), use similar or even the same items on both units, so that they tie to each other.

In summary, don’t be afraid to use your existing items. If your shelves feel unfinished, think about adding books, then fill in with additional items that are similar to or complement what you may already have. Add art and photos to personalize the shelves, and try to be consistent with your color palette for a cohesive feel.

Modern Organic Bedroom

Last week I was approached by my very first online interior design client ever. Almost exactly 10 years ago, I cut my teeth on online interior design with her basement family room (also did her upstairs living room), and I was beyond honored that she had reached out again.

This time, she was hoping for help with her bedroom. A quick look at the pictures revealed a few obvious challenges with the space.

The room is small, and windows and/or doors on every wall makes furniture placement a challenge. While I love natural light from windows, I’m baffled as to the placement of them in this room… especially with doors on the other 2 walls…but I digress…

I played around with the layout a bit, and while her current configuration offered more space between the bed and the main door and bathroom door, swapping the bed to the longer wall allowed for better access to the closet doors and easier flow around the bed.

With the layout determined, I moved on to the design. She requested a look that has been growing in popularity recently, Modern Organic – a style where sleek minimalism and sometimes mid-century lines meet nature-inspired shapes, organic textures, and rustic elements. Her specific words were, “Mid century, nature-themed.” When I hear “nature-themed” I tend to think of live edge wood, earthy greens and plants, and soft neutral tones, so that’s where I started.

With this initial moodboard, I addressed a few of her specific requests:

1. Keep her existing bed frame but add a new headboard

2. Quilt/coverlet instead of a comforter/duvet

3. Not too many pillows (“they just get thrown on the floor“)

4. Replace ceiling fan (“has to be another fan“)

5. Modify or replace the closet doors

You may also notice that I’ve dealt with the window issue, i.e. there was no way to configure this space without the bed partially overlapping one of the windows. So I embraced it in the design, adding off-center art above the new live-edge headboard, and “balancing” the right window with another set of art prints above the left nightstand. Another trick I’ve been using on these pesky, behind-the-bed windows is to just add one curtain panel instead of two.

I liked her idea of using soft sage greens and natural wood tones, so I moved the green from the walls down into the art and bedding, and repeated natural wood tones and textures throughout the space. I put a light warm neutral on the walls and used wall planters instead of the typical wall decor since we were going for a nature-themed space. I also included a set of gallery wall frames — I think it’s important to have pictures of family, friends or things that make you smile in your personal space. Lastly, I proposed a reeded wood closet door, both functional, and beautiful.

With the design elements signed off on, I put together the 3D rendering.

I’m not a huge fan of beige but it feels so warm and inviting in this space compared to the previous green walls. I’m also so happy that there are new ceiling fan options that look more like stylish light fixtures than the utilitarian ceiling fans of old.

We all grow, change and evolve, and I get a lot of repeat business from clients who’ve moved, expanded their family or just need help with additional spaces. I love when existing clients come back for additional projects because that means I made an impact the first time around with my designs — but this one will aways hold a special place in my heart as my first digital design client, and my first foray into this wonderful industry.

Before and “Afters”

In this post, we’ll simply look at a few project before and proposed “afters“.

Project 1: Client wanted a modern organic bathroom with splashes of glam.

Project 2: Client wanted an updated kitchen with a transitional and classic feel.

Project 3: Client wanted a classic bedroom with elegant touches.

Project 4: Client wanted a bedroom for her daughter that was more grown up, but still youthful and whimsical.

Project 5: Client wanted a modern office that she would enjoy working in.

Project 6: Client wanted an updated look for her brick home.

Actual before and after photos:

Wall Murals

My focus on social media this week is on kids and teen bedrooms, and I frequently use wall murals in my more youthful designs. I love wall murals because they add “wow” factor and create a focal point — and for anyone struggling to settle on a color palette or overall theme for a space, a wall mural is a great place to start.

There are soooo many wonderful wall murals out there that it can be overwhelming, which is why a lot of clients come to me. When I’m getting started, I’m guided by a few parameters:

Likes/dislikes, i.e. dinosaurs, space travel, unicorns, butterflies, soccer, etc
Color preferences, i.e. he likes blues and greens; or, she is not girly – NO pink – she likes navy blue and teal
Budget

While likes and color preferences may seem like the more important factors, the amount a client will spend on a mural really starts to whittle down the choices. So, with these parameters in mind, I start shopping.

One of my past projects was for a “big boy” bedroom — a significant stage where a child transitions from a nursery to a child/toddler bedroom. This can be tricky, as we still want a playful, whimsical feel but want to avoid anything too baby-ish. This particular client requested a dinosaur theme, and preferred blues and greens. I loved this mural for the space:

Picking a mural can be the most difficult part of the process and can take some time, but once I’ve found the right mural, everything else begins to fall into place.

Dinosaur Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

I worked from the mural, pulling the jungle green down onto the bed, used the same warm gray background color of the mural as the paint color for the other 3 walls, and sprinkled the blue and green tones throughout the design with art, accessories and decor.

Similarly, I started with the beautiful floral mural in the design below, repeating it’s soft sage greens, whites and blush tones in other design elements.

Floral Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

World Traveler Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

City Playroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

While not always feasible, one of my favorite things to do is to make the ceiling the accent wall – creating a really unique look and magical feel in a space.

Under the Sea Boy Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

Murals offer the perfect blend of beauty and functionality, adding visual interest while also establishing the overall look and color palette in a space. Their ability to transform spaces makes them ideal for kid and teen spaces, but they can add a special touch to any room. If you’re ready for your next interior design project but aren’t sure where to begin – try starting with a wall mural.

Front Porch Styling

If you’re lucky enough to have a good sized front porch, you may be thinking about sprucing it up so that you can enjoy it during the spring and summer months ahead. Below are my tips for creating a cozy and stylish porch perfect for sunny spring days and warm summer nights.

Light Fixtures

People are often intimidated by projects involving electrical wiring, however changing light fixtures is relatively easy and can have a big impact. If your house has old or outdated lighting, think about swapping in something new to give it a fresh look.

Seating

Rock, recline, swivel or swing — seating is essential for a porch. Pick whichever seating style suits your needs, then relax and watch the lazy summer days go by.

Pillows

Style your seating with pillows in your favorite colors, or with pillows that are specific to the season.

Fall Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Plants

Porches are a great middle ground between the full indoors and full outdoors, and plants help bridge that gap, “bringing the outdoors in,” as they say. As I mentioned in my previous post, plants also help finish a space and give it a cozy feel.

Traditional Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Doormats & Rugs

Doormats are a great way to welcome guests while at the same time injecting your unique personality. Rugs will help define the seating area–adding pattern, texture and visual interest, while also breaking up the hardscape of your porch floor.

Modern Farmhouse Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Wreaths

Wreaths aren’t just for holidays anymore…they come in all sorts of styles now, and are a great way to add pops of color to your porch.

Summer Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Door Color

Painting a front door an accent color is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to enhance both curb and porch appeal.

Tropical Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Address Numbers

If your address is on your porch (vs. on the roofline or near the garage doors, etc), consider swapping in a more stylish option for a more contemporary feel.

Modern Porch Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Spring is here and summer is around the corner – make sure your porch is ready for outdoor living. With these easy updates, you can make your porch the perfect spot to enjoy the warmer months ahead.

Styling with Plants

One of the easiest ways to spruce up a space is to add greenery – real or faux. If you’re into caring for live plants, that’s great, but the artificial ones have come a long way in terms of looking and feeling realistic also, so if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry – you can still enjoy the look of greenery in your space.

I add them to almost every design for several reasons — plants help a space feel more fresh, more stylish, more finished, and most importantly, more cozy and “lived in.”

If you’re wondering where to add them, consider any dead space that you have in the room, such as in corners or next to sideboards or TV stands.

Contemporary Dining Room, Black Cat Interiors

Plants also add a nice pop of green to shelves:

And work great as centerpieces on table top spaces:

Coffee Table Styling, Black Cat Interiors

If your style leans boho or organic, use lots of plants:

Boho Living Room Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

However, if you tend more toward modern or mid-century, then keep the plants simple:

Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

If you love a coastal look, then incorporate tropical plants into your space:

If you’re familiar with my work, you may have figured out that my favorite plant is the fiddle leaf fig tree.

Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, Black Cat Interiors

Wildly popular and versatile, this beautiful plant seamlessly integrates into almost any style or space–note that in the above designs, I used it in boho, contemporary and mid-century designs.

As mentioned, indoor plants are a quick and easy way to enhance the overall appearance of a space and one of my favorite finishing touches. Studies also show that plants can enhance moods, increase creativity, reduce stress, and–if using live plants–can eliminate air pollutants. So when putting together your spaces, don’t forget the plants.

Working with Existing Pieces

Many clients ask me at the beginning of a project whether I can work with their existing pieces and/or design choices — art, furniture, flooring, tile, etc. As I’ve said in a few of my other posts, the answer is, it depends…

Existing elements can always be worked into a design but the end result may not always be what was desired. For example, many clients have dark leather furniture for practical reasons, i.e. durability and ease of maintenance mainly — but want a light and airy coastal design like this:

Barclay Butera Upholstery Upholstered Ottoman, Wayfair

So, can we incorporate dark leather furniture and still get this look? Not quite. Yes we can do an overall coastal look — but no, the design won’t be quite as light and airy as the picture above, because the light and airy feel is accomplished (in part) from the main pieces…which are white.

All hope isn’t lost however, and I’m always happy to try to incorporate existing pieces since it saves time and budget. So, a couple of options here:

Option 1: we incorporate the existing black leather seating but keep everything else light and airy to balance it; we’ll get a hybrid look that isn’t quite as breezy, but still has a coastal feel:

Modern Coastal Living Room Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

Option 2: we modify the existing seating; adding a custom-made slipcover will accomplish both goals of keeping the existing furniture while still achieving a light and airy feel.

Sometimes however, the best way to proceed is to replace the item. One of my recent projects was converting a nursery into a little boy’s room. There was a bed similar to the one below in the room that the client was hoping to use:

I love the bed itself, however its curved lines and nailhead trim have a feminine feel that didn’t fit with the aesthetic the client was wanting for her son’s room. She also wanted additional storage since there wasn’t a real closet in the room, so a new bed solved for both issues:

West Elm’s Shelter storage bed had cleaner lines that fit the design aesthetic, and provided the additional storage that the room needed.

Space Themed Boy’s Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

In some cases however, the existing furniture works great. As shown in the photo below, the client already owned a bed, nightstands, floating shelves and a floor lamp (also not visible here, a large wall mirror and recliner):

Since the existing items fit the overall aesthetic the client was wanting, I incorporated all items, just adding a few touches to make the room feel more finished:

Transitional Bedroom Design by Black Cat Interiors

Circling back to Option 2 above, for those not afraid of DIY and some elbow grease, keeping existing elements and modifying them can save a lot of money. The moodboard below includes several relatively easy updates for a small kitchenette in the basement of a vacation rental. Painting cabinets and swapping out hardware are well-known updates, but did you know that appliances can be painted? Or that epoxy kits can refinish countertops to look like marble?

Coastal Kitchenette Design by Black Cat Interiors

If you’re unsure about whether to work with an existing item when redesigning a space, start by asking yourself,

does the item fit the design aesthetic that you’re wanting? if not, ask yourself…
are you OK with the compromise, noting that it is perfectly fine to mix styles as long as you like the end result. If you don’t want to compromise on the overall “look” however, consider…
modifying the existing item(s), i.e. painting/staining, slipcover/re-upholstering, etc. so that it better fits the design.

Still stuck? Contact me, I’d be happy to help!

Outdoor Living

With summer approaching – like me – you might be thinking about your patio and outdoor living. If you have a big open space, furnishing your patio can be intimidating — a lot of my clients say they “don’t know where to start.” Similar to my recent post about designing basements, I approach designing patios by determining function first, then creating zones. Start by asking yourself, ‘How am I going to use the space?’

Projects can vary of course in size and scale, from tiny porches or patios with seating just for 2, to expansive patios with multiple levels and areas, etc, but in general when I ask clients how they’re going to use the space, the majority of them tell me, 1) sitting/lounging, and 2) dining. So let’s start there – in the moodboard below, I’ve included 2 zones, a lounge area, and a dining area.

Contemporary Patio Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

When choosing furniture, think about things such as, how many people you’d like to seat, flexibility (i.e. modular furniture that can be moved around/repositioned), longevity, and the texture that you prefer. I personally tend towards wicker (or wicker-look), and sectionals to maximize seating…

Beachcroft 3-Piece Outdoor Seating Set, Wayfair

…but the wood look and/or teak is definitely growing on me. I like the clean lines and warm texture that it adds to a space.

I don’t personally love the look of metal or composite furniture, however if durability, longevity and low maintenance are at the top of your priority list, you can’t beat them.

Once you’ve identified your functions or zones, think about what other needs you might have, such as shade or protection from the elements. Cantilever umbrellas are great if you only need shade part of the time.

Coastal Patio Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Or, for a more full-time solution, consider adding a pergola.

Contemporary Patio 3D Rendering, Black Cat Interiors

If you need privacy from neighbors, consider adding a screen.

Modern Patio 3D Rendering, Black Cat Interiors

After you’ve identified the main functions, think about finishing touches such as rugs, pillows, side tables and planters.

Modern Patio Moodboard, Black Cat Interiors

Lastly, don’t forget the lighting. From hard-wired fixtures, to solar options, exterior lighting is a great way to add ambiance to your outdoor space.

Exterior Lighting Consult, Black Cat Interiors

Use these tips to get the most out of spring and summer by getting your patio ready for outdoor living. Need more guidance? Contact me – I’d be happy to help!

Go Green

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s take a look at greens. I don’t typically gravitate towards green as an accent or main color but when I’m asked to use it, I find that I like it quite a bit.

In this modern glam condo, I love the deep dark greens paired with light soft neutrals, and gold accents.

Modern Glam Living Room 3D Rendering by Black Cat Interiors

Modern Glam Kitchen Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

Soft sages and rich olives work well across a broad range of styles, from Transitional…

Transitional Foyer Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

…to Modern/Contemporary.

Modern/Contemporary Living Room Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

Greens are associated with nature, so ideal for outdoor spaces.

Contemporary Patio Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

Greens also pair well with other accent colors, such as blush…

Green and Blush Home Office 3D Rendering by Black Cat Interiors

Green and Blush Bedroom 3D Rendering by Black Cat Interiors

…and blue.

Coastal Living Room Moodboard by Black Cat Interiors

I love greens on cabinetry, such as in kitchens…

Transitional Kitchen 3D Rendering by Black Cat Interiors

And bathrooms…

Contemporary Bathroom 3D Rendering by Black Cat Interiors

But green doesn’t have to just be an accent color. If – unlike me – you do gravitate towards greens, embrace it! Put it on your walls…

Greens Interior Paint Palette by Black Cat Interiors. All Room Images, Wayfair.com. Stack of Bamboos in Thailand Image by Remy Musser.

Or even on your house…

Exterior Paint Consultation Before and After by Black Cat Interiors
https://www.shopblackcatinteriors.com/product-page/exterior-paint-consultation

Green is often described as refreshing and tranquil and thought to represent tranquility, good luck, and health. If you’re ready to make a change to your home’s interior or exterior, consider going green.

Exterior Consultations

Deciding on exterior paint colors can be terrifying — it’s a big purchase, with both paint and labor being expensive — so mistakes can be costly. Frozen with fear, many homeowners decide not to decide at all.

To help with the decision process, many paint brands have an option on their sites to see their colors on an example home — and in some cases, on several styles of homes — but not many have the capability to show YOUR home in their colors. The ones that do haven’t refined the technology enough to accurately reflect colors and placement.

I began offering exterior consultations to bridge this gap and go beyond to show additional exterior upgrades, such as door styles, lighting, columns, windows, wood tones, siding types, etc.

The process is simple — homeowners fill out a quick questionnaire where they can upload pictures of their home and inspiration pictures, then I put together mockups showing requested colors, or recommended colors (or a combination of both) and any other aesthetic exterior changes they’d like to see.

This is especially helpful for homeowners who are having difficulty visualizing colors together, or visualizing their anticipated changes together (i.e. different siding, stone veneers, etc), or are wavering between a few different options.

Original House
Option D
Option C
Option B
Option A

Someone wise said, “knowledge is power” – so now, armed with visualizations (and variations on the visualizations – the service also includes a handful of revisions), homeowners have the power to make decisions and, secure in the knowledge that they are avoiding costly mistakes, head to the paint store with confidence.

For more information see, http://www.blackcatinteriors.com/exterior-consultation-services-know-before-you-paint/

https://www.shopblackcatinteriors.com/product-page/exterior-paint-consultation