Enhance Your Design Views

Colors that Calm & Coastal Classic Lines to Reclaim!

2011-09-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome into the last quarter blog posting for 2011. As I hear some Canadian Geese flying overhead this afternoon, it's appropriate to say that the year has really just flown by. Autumn is just around the corner from this indian summer we are having here on the West Coast. I have seen hummingbirds and dragonflies all this past week and wonder if they know something we don't know about a delayed autumn season on our coast. Meanwhile rain and storms continue to pound other parts of our world and I am not ready for winter yet. Our Design Market begins in October and despite the inconsistencies of the economy and the weather, the trends seem to be holding the same pattern as last market. Savoring the summer and staying serene through the winter could be our best defense, while reclaiming our natural world in all ways possible. Let's take a look at the trends.

CLEAR COLORS, CALMING COASTAL PATTERNS & CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY LINES

October is our big Market time back east and as usual, the market information I am receiving is plentiful and colorful. Seems our design industry, at least, is still introducing vibrant clear colors, calming patterns, botanical themes, and soothing classic, clean lined furnishings of a more natural weathered and contemporary nature. It almost feels like a repeat of our last Spring Market. It seems no one wants to let go of coastal influences, resort style themes and again, our mother nature's images. I am elated about that! Having grown up on Long Island with water, beach and blue skies all around me and now a Californian since 1973, I am as happy and comfy as a clam around these lighter weathered finishes that look as if they were made right out of our sand dunes' driftwood. Artwork and fabrics with leaves, vines, birds, butterflies, insects, turtles, flowers, shells, sand, grassy dunes, marine life, and water/sky images with graceful sailing vessels are all ingredients of this calming coastal influence.

CLEAR COLORS

We're seeing similar colors to last Spring, just a little deeper version this Fall. The greens are prevalent and they are a little deeper than the lime greens we saw a few months back. Our blues are more turquoise and teal blue now (I still saw several peacock themes from last April), and the combination of red and turquoise is a "hot one"! Grays and neutral beiges are the canvas colors of choice. From my Color Psychology ongoing CEU class taken, I learned once again how light - medium gray is the color of creativity. It will inspire and ignite creativity in a boardroom full of attendees, and support inventive thinking and dreaming. It is slightly more masculine than beiges which may attest for why mens' suits have always been predominently gray! Adding a contrast accent color to a gray sofa (shown below), like a deep lime green or even an orange based red will add unexpected drama. Same goes for using these solid colors with all neutral beige on beige bedding or upholstery.

CALMING PATTERNS: NATURE'S WILDLIFE, BOTANICAL FLORALS, & SEASHELLS

Take a look at these great art images. Each one of them is calming and colorful in their own right, as they are in most cases the natural colors of the actual bird, insect, turtle, or seashell. The more decorative art will always add a bigger punch of color and that's always a good option when most of your upholstery or bedding is neutral. Adding in some decorative medallions or architectural doors, gates, verandas, etc. adds another peaceful element of stability, design and structure. Keeping it natural is always the key. Don't overdo anything. Simple elegance is the rule.

COASTAL CLASSIC LINES, CONTEMPORARY STYLE FURNITURE, & NATURAL RECLAIMED WOODS

We have seen a resurgence of light color woods in both traditional and contemporary classic lines, so I'll address those new introductions in this posting. The dark woods are still very much in trend and always will be. These lovely photos of an antique ivory carved chest or a reclaimed natural wood chest placed next to a colorful floral pattern clean lined side chair will give you an idea of the look I have seen in my market previews. If this "lightening up" trend is beginning again in our furniture world, I hope it will permeate into our economic world soon. This dining room is a fine "weathered european style", using the finest environmentally friendly woods and only American-made finishing materials.

GOING GREEN

It would take more than even one entire blog to really give "Going Green" the attention it deserves. There is so much more to supporting "Green" than any one vendor's contribution. However, this chest of drawers shown supports our green industry in that it is weathered reclaimed natural wood and materials, using a very simple sanded finish with either little or no wax or sealer. That makes it essential to use coasters and placements on these pieces. Occasional wiping with a soft cotton cloth will maintain the unique character of this kind of furniture. I believe we can "feel" the difference being in a room full of more natural materials and woods. There is a peace and a balance that you inutuitively sense. I realize it's more upkeep for the homeowner, but the rewards are great! I would love to talk more "green" here but I'll address that in a future blog. Meanwhile, I am proud to be a professional member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association), an organization which educates about and supports the green industry, with many affiliate vendors with green compliant procedures and products.

FINISHING TOUCH: ADDING GREENERY WITH BOTANICAL SILKS, TREES AND FLOWERS

Years ago, there wasn't one room I designed in the SF Bay Area that I didn't incorporate at least one real ficus tree, schefflera or yucca palm along with numerous tabletop greeneries. Every foyer received fresh flowers in a remarkable vase we found up in one of the San Francisco showrooms. The room is just not complete without its real greenery. We had a hand full of live plant services who met us at our jobsites, recommended and installed the proper plant for the light exposure. That service then visited regularly to make sure the plant was adjusting properly to its new environment and receiving its water and nutrition. If for some reason the plant wasn't thriving, my plant service would relocate the plant, or replace it with another one. As you can imagine, this is an expensive service. We still have those services but with the lagging economy, I am sad to say, not as many clients wish to pay for this luxury. Therefore, my clients usually opt to have high quality silk floor plants and dried botanical arrangements, green topiaries, sculptures and sik floral arrangements for their spaces. There are quite a few lines out there. Trust your designer to find the most natural and best quality ones.

DESIGNER RESOURCES ARE TRULY THE BEST

As designers, we have a huge library of resources at our fingertips by catalogue and on our trade internet sites. A few of my clients still like to do their own research, and send me photos of what they are considering and then I will find the best look, quality and price in my lines. So, please remember if you have any inquiries or requests, contact me and we can assist you on this design journey and guide the project easily and quickly as your design buyer and/or consultant for all furnishings, upholstery, casegoods, lighting, artwork, accessories, area rugs, plants....and so much more.

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Design 4 You 4 Ever

Pamela

Pamela Farnsworth Smith IIDA

AVALLON DESIGN P.O.Box 1623 Lincoln CA 95648
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (You're here!)
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Contact Info: Ph(916) 677-6792 pam@avallondesign.com

We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in AVALLON DESIGN and click on big house profile pic. Everyone is welcome to join. Post your comments or inquiries

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern California. her most current projects are in the Sacramento area; Roseville, Granite Bay, Rockin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin to the Peninsula and down to Carmel. She has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception sales centers for golf development communities.

FACEBOOK Avallon Design Group Introduction Video

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design in our industry it allows me to continually learn more information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique as are their design styles. Reaching our design goals for their living environments is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art." Pam

All of the photos to the right on this post are Market Introduction photos by each of our furniture/accessories Vendors for our Fall Market. Please contact me if you have any interest in these lines and I will return your phone call or email within 24-48 hours.

Avallon Design offers consultation and concept coordination as well as purchasing for their clients' projects on a Design Fees (Hourly) and Purchases basis. Thank you for your interest. Pamela (916) 677-6792 pam@avallondesign.com

Scroll down further to see my past Quarterly and Monthly posts for 2011 and 2010. Photos may not align with the blog posting but I believe you will get the idea of it all.

Comments and Feedback always welcome. CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Summertime Blues

2011-07-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

Remember the Peacock Accent Pillows in sumptuous silks above from Springtime posting? We'll keep them around through Summertime, as they are BLUE!

Hello! If you're reading my 3rd Quarter Blog here, then you've taken a relaxing break off from whatever you're doing. Hopefully, you're on a summer vacation cruise, or by a lake, or even on a beach with one of those fancy drinks with an umbrella in it. Wherever you are this time of year it's bound to be fairly HOT temperatures. Let's take a look at some Summertime Blues to cool us off in these hot months of July, August and September. From photos of some of my favorite vacation spots, to blue theme room designs, this tour is certainly eclectic.

Those who know me say I am usually loquacious in my postings, but this Quarter, I'd just like to take you on a visual tour, since it is the season after all, for getting away to see great scenery, while cooling down. Refresh thyself.

SUMMERTIME BLUES IN SO MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Designer4You4Ever
Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN

Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com
NEW! We're on FaceBook now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to become a member. Design feedback and comments are welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 1 years in the San Francisco Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valey, Pam still travels for clients as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years in Hendersonville, a design office in Arizona (Fountain Hills, Scottsdale) for 4 years, and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf developments such as Champion Hills, Kenmure Golf & CC, and Naples Golf & CC. Earlier in her Californa days, Pam also designed the corporate offices of Robert Trent Jones II, Golf Architect, Palo Alto, CA.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved California. It lit a fire inside of me that has been burning now for over 30 years, and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique in their styles. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating an enjoyable and sound design journey along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform speaces into living art."

This blog is inspired by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. I want to express my gratitude for the many projects I have worked on for you, and for the ideas you have brought to the design table. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew and refine those relationships (personal or business) and you'll find your true treasure....your boat will come in.

Pamela

All photos to the right are photos of Avallon Desing project photos or photos taken by Pamela during a vacation or design event, market or show. If you have interest in any of these items, kindly leave an email inquiry: pam@avallondesign.com

We will get back to you with pricing and availability within 48 hours of receiving your message.

Avallon Design's studio is located in Lincoln, CA and correspondence may sent to:
P. O. Box 1623, Lincoln, CA 95648 PH 916 677-6792 FAX 916 543-8782

Pamela will consult over the phone about your upcoming project if desired, in the form of a 15 minute phone interview. Please email your request for this phone interview, along with information about your room(s), style and desired design services and/or merchandise purchases to: pam@avallondesign.com. We will email back available interview times and you may call us at one of those times given. Design fee estimates are not given over the phone; however, they are available by mail after phone interview is completed. We request that prospective clients review our website at: www.avallondesign.com prior to the first phone interview. It is also helpful for clients to have a list of their design needs in front of them at time of interview chat.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. I look forward to providing these quarterly blogs for your reading pleasure. ENJOY.

Please post any comments below here by following the prompts.

If you scroll further down, you can review all the past postings. They are all archived here with copy and photos. Photos may not align with copy but you'll figure it out from the descriptions under the photo.

Also, if you have any design topic requests, please don't hesitate to ask that I research them and I will be sure to include it either in the next quarterly blog post or the following one.

THANKS.

PAMELA

New Design Palettes for Spring

2011-04-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings my friends, clients and family and I hope if the warmer weather hasn't reached you yet, that it is getting closer to popping your flowers up and out into the sunshine and sweet spring air. This is my Spring Quarter Blog for April, May and June 2011.

NEW MARKET INTRODUCTIONS BRING NEW UPLIFTING COLORS

Springtime always brings our new design market introductions, so I thought I'd start my quarterly blog off here in April with some great ideas and images that came on the scene just recently. We're seeing colors and designs which are uplifting and exciting. Our markets both in Las Vegas and North Carolina were both better attended than last Fall, and our designer spirits have high hopes that good business will continue to follow for all in 2011. I mentioned in my first quarterly blog this January 2011 that 11 was a "gateway" year. Since then I've read more about how significant this year could actually be in business, spirituality, education, and personal goals and health achievements.

DESIGN IDEAS ARE CREATED AND IMPLEMENTED WITH A TRIO YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH

Sharing some of my personal journey information -- I was greeted in the past week by a beautiful lady security guard while visiting one of my client's homes in a lovely development. The guards in the past have been men, but that day was different. She stood at the guard shack by the double gates and as I gave her my client's address, my company name and purpose of my visit, I thanked her for being there, and asked her what her name was. She replied, my name is "Faith". Previous to that event, I bought some outdoor dishes for patio dining with an artist's flower image in the center. I loved the colors and the design mostly and they felt substantial for plastic dishware. When I got them home and as I was cleaning them, I noticed there was a small signature under the flower. It read, "Hope Smith". HOPE, FAITH AND the last one, LOVE, greater than the two, is the magic trio that creates all things and sustains them as well.

A COLOR WEATHER FORECAST - VIBRANT AND CLEAR TO COOL AND CREAMY WITH INTERMITTENT WARM TONES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

With that , hope you LOVE this new layout for my Quarterly blog and all the fun and dramatic ideas I'm sharing herein. The colors are vibrant and clear, combinations of lime green, blues and turquoises in fields of creamy neutrals, and others are warm and bright with golds, warm reds, and teal blues. Buttermilks and lavendars are in there too. It just feels so good to see all these colors out there.

OWLS AND PEACOCKS, OH MY ! DANCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND BE WISE.

Owls and Peacocks seemed to be the theme for the furniture and accessory market advertising, so you know I need to lend a meaning to that one. Owls are known as wise birds and their hooting sounds are comforting as well as cautionary. Peacocks on the other hand are vibrant, showy and love to dance and prance their bright feathers. An unlikely coupling, but nevertheless one that I saw in a lot of my market flyers and postcards! The color lavendar made a big splash actually in the jewelry world along with pinks, turquoises and neutral cream yellows this year.
The SILPADA jewelry line here also shows off its' spring complexion in their lovely creations, which always seem to be designed with nature in mind.

WATER, GRASS, BLUE SKIES ARE EVERYWHERE

It's as if we all need an infusion of water, grass and blue sky colors this Spring to refresh our lives and living spaces, and there was no shortage of these colors at market time. My favorite color is teal (blue or green), and I'm sure it relates to my connection with the coast and the sea, as I am from Long Island, NY.

FOLLOW THESE COLOR TRENDS AND SOAK UP THE FRESH OUTDOORS IN YOUR DECORATING

When in doubt, follow the color and trends of the design and fashion world to see the sign of the times we are living in. Of course how you view and experience these trends, I know, is totally personal for each of us. But in the meanwhile, enjoy basking in the colors of the earth, sky, water, flowers and sun...because they're here!

Celebrate Design!

Designer4You4Ever
Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN

Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquirires: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com
NEW! We're on FaceBook now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to join. Design feedback and comments welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the San Francisco Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years, and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centes for golf developments.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years, and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique in their styles. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating an enjoyable and sound design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

This blog is inspired by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. I want to express my gratitude for the many projects I have worked on for you, and for the ideas you have brought to the design table. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew and refine those relationships (personal or business) and you'll find your true jewelry treasure ... and your boat will come in.

Pamela

All photos to the right are market photos from our the vendors that we do business with in our design industry. If you have interest in any of these items, kindly leave an email inquiry: pam@avallondesign.com

We will get back to you with pricing and availability within 48 hours of receiving your message.

Avallon Design's studio is located in Lincoln, CA and correspondence may be sent to:
P. O. Box 1623, Lincoln, CA 95648.

Pamela will consult over the phone about your upcoming project if desired, in the form of a 15 minute phone interview. Please email your request for this phone interview, along with information about your room(s), style and desired design services and/or merchandise purchases to: pam@avallondesign.com We will email back available interview times and you may call us at one of those times given. Design fee estimates are not given over the phone; however they are available by mail after intial 15 minute phone interview is completed. We request that prospective clients review our website at: www.avallondesign.com prior to the first phone interview. It is also helpful for clients to have a list of their design needs in front of them at time of interview.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. I look forward to providing these quarterly blogs for your reading pleasure. I enjoy writing this blog very much. ENJOY.

Doorways to Design in 2011

2011-01-19T10:07:00.000-08:00

We've just entered another one of those space aged sounding years, 2011 (two thousand eleven)...quite different from the 90's which went by so fast. Now you probably know how old I am, right? Well age is physical, yes, but youth is still in your mind. In other words, if you think you're still young, YOU ARE YOUNG. Sharing your life with your kids, grandkids and really enjoying the fresh experience of it will keep your energy high. Some of us have pets to keep us laughing with their silly and entertaining ways...guilty here on that one. Regaining a youthful attitude can often be re-ignited by a physical makeover as well. I know when I watch a particular TV show, I am amazed how they transform a more middle aged woman with new hair style, makeup and updated wardrobe, shaving 10 years off her age. She feels so good about herself and it changes her outlook on the world. She suddenly feels empowered to enjoy her life in more ways than before with newfound self esteem. The major changes seem to be correct color choices, updated chic clothing suited to her body type, and great accessories. Designing interiors for 2011 can use much the same formula. It's time to revamp and rework those home spaces which need a new lift.

And so we'll enter 2011 through it's double doorways this year, with the number 11 visually signifying two columns and spiritually representing a gateway opening. This year can be an empowering year for all of us with open doors of abounding opportunity. Here are some lovely doorway views. When we enter, we hope to see a space which gives comfort, joy, beauty, peace and exitement too. Remember when decorating, that the home's architectural features (inside and out) will determine a style to follow, as does its geographical location. However you cannot judge a book by its cover; a quite traditional home will often have modern minded homeowners within, and a contemporary home may be filled with traditional oils and antique furniture. The homeowners (YOU) are the key design factor. Here are (4) doorways to open this year to update your look. The best choice is the one which works best for you.

Behind Design Door #1: DO A COLOR BOOST Consider giving your room a foundation color to liven up it's complexion. Renew your room with paint! Here are some Sherwin Williams colors that always say, "refresh and renew". You might also consider going a shade or two lighter to create a more subtle glowing backdrop canvas for your fabrics and furniture. So if you have had the same basic beige walls for a while, and want to give your room a lift, consider giving it a color transfusion. I always recommend you buy a pint of paint first and put a large 24"x24" swatch on wall before purchasing all the paint. Some local paint stores also provide free 8 x 11 color brush outs, or you can order samples online. Take a look at these photos of the same room with three different color options from Sherwin Williams. Go to www.sherwinwilliams.com and check out their fabulous room visualizer before you paint!

Behind Design Door #2: PERK UP THE PERSONALITY Every home has it's own style of architecture, thus creating its personality. You can choose to follow that styling on the interior which is safe and predicatable. However, I love to introduce a more eclectic look mixing traditional and contemporary elements together. It just creates a more youthful exciting look. Like the hair style that is all one length classic and timeless; but slant the hair up slightly in the back to create an a-line, or long layer it in back and on sides to create movement, and you've now got a more dramatic design that turns heads due to it's unexpected and youthful flare. Take a look at this absolutely gorgeous traditional Living Room with the addition of contemporary designed cocktail table of penshell and iron and antique mirrored round end table on scrolled base. Adding a few key furnishings items like these will keep the room updated and full of interest.

Behind Door #3: ADD "BLING" ACCESSORIES for drama and excitement to update your look. Replace your throw pillows with some new color or pattern to create contrast. If your budget allows, think about an area rug which is complimentary. Keep it simple and clean. Too much pattern on pattern can be confusing to the eye. Even the best professionals will have to think twice about mixing patterns with patterns when the room or client's style calls for a style such as French Provence. This Family Room incorporates a warm caramel sectional, creative throw pillows and an area rug added for detail, color, pattern while it updates the space. Here are some other great blings you can add to your home: 1) Crystal bead trim around the base of your Foyer and Powder Room lampshades is sassy and romantic, 2) Decorative mirrors with cut and bevelled mirror frames in a traditional room or... ornate carved wood framed mirrors over contemporary buffets or console tables, 3) Large crystal, seeded or color glass vases with fresh or silk flowers, 4) A mix of unique complimentary photo frames atop foyer tables, dressers or even pianos, 5) Decorative iron wall art on walls and in upper windows and 6) Artwork or Tapestries with great subject matter and scale.

Behind Door 4: CREATE GRACE SPACE One last important design tip is to leave enough "grace space" as I like to call it on your walls between artwork, on tabletops between accessories, and in your actual furniture floor plan between pieces of upholstery and casegoods. When this is more open space, rooms appear larger and cleaner and more up to date. When they are crowded with too much going on, they will look cluttered, older, very lived in and hence dated. There is a balance of course, as there is in everything. Strive for that design balance by standing back and entering your room with a new glance after it is done. The look that appeals to, say a buyer of a home after it has been design staged, IS that newer updated, fresher, uncluttered home. Keep in mind that this same principle applies to the look that will keep you young at heart and mind as you live in your home!

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Design 4 You 4 Ever

Pamela
AVALLON DESIGN
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (you're here!)
P. O. Box 1623 Lincoln, CA 95648 Ph 916 677.6792 Fax 916 543.8782

NEW! We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in AVALLON DESIGN and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is welcome to join. Post your comments or inquiries.

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception sales centers for golf development communities.

FACEBOOK Avallon Design Group Introduction Video, with Pamela Farnsworth Smith IIDA

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design in our industry, it allows me to continually learn more information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique as are their styles. Reaching our design goals for their living environments is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art." Pam

This blog is truly inspired each month by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew and refine those relationships (personal or business) and you'll find your treasure...your ship will come in.

December's Design Dance

2010-12-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

My favorite time of year is right now. The month of December is always a juggling act for most of us, between work and the Holiday parties, events, shopping and family and friend dinners and lunches. I've learned over the years that to get through this time of year without too much stress, I simply have to remember that celebrating the holidays can also occur right after the Christmas holidays also. In fact, I already have lunches set up with 2 friends for after the New Year as well. Stretch the holidays out as far as you need to, in order to enjoy the season. Dashing around in the heavy rain and windy weather (or snow for those of you on the east coast) to get that shopping done or make that lunch date may not be necessary. The gift of grace might just apply here to relieve the stress of a deadline (I like to call them timelines, by the way), and to keep you from winding up "under the weather" yourself on Christmas Eve.

Like the ballet "The Nutcracker" , wouldn't it be better if you just envisioned yourself dancing gracefully along with your dance partners in life (that includes your friends, family, clients, work associates, everyone!) during this holiday especially, all in harmony and synchronization with each other? If you forget a step or two, you bow out gracefully and then back in when you're ready again, and just enjoy the dance of the season? One of my FaceBook friends recently posted a bumper sticker saying on her wall, that read, "what if the hokey-pokey is really what it's all about?" It made me laugh inside. The lyrics of this song are "Put your right foot in, put your right foot out, put your right foot in, and you shake it all about. You do the hokey-pokey and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about", and so on....with the other foot, each arm, etc. It seems to me that life really is one big stage, where we are learning how to dance and interact with many people successfully. The key elements in the song are 1) first, get up and dance 2) take small steps, 3) celebrate by twirling around each time you accomplish something, and 4) start all over with the next step. For someone like me who is a master design planner who likes to see everything figured out ahead of time, have it all scheduled out to happen, and make sure all drawings and designs are well thought out, I usually don't come up for air to twirl around and celebrate after each small step. My New Year's Resolution is: to do the celebratory dance more often!

In fact, I have a few more design ideas to de-stress this season:

When in doubt, DANCE; When in dilemma, DANCE; When it's delicious, DANCE; When it's done, definitely DANCE! (When you're driving, try smiling...dancing could be dangerous).

I'll leave you with some December images and photos that dance with design. Decorating for the holidays is a joy for most everyone. Add both elegance and whimsy to your spaces. Here's a stunning Tuscan home of my clients' who followed that formula. She loves to add the unexpected touches at holiday time and it is different every year, as I've seen her home a few times. Her style home is perfect for large scale accents as you'll see, starting with the custom designed glass and ironwork front double doors with holly and winter foliage hanging in an "S" pattern on both sides. In the Grand Foyer you can almost hear the elves talking to themselves on the ottoman about the arrival of Santa for her grandchild. What a nice place to sit down and enjoy a cup of cocoa (ho, ho, ho), and chat with a big brown bear with red cap, who looks as if he has had more than just cocoa (leaning over the pot) and an angelic lady sculpture watching over this scene who has donned her new coppery cape for the evening.

We enter into the Dining Room where the music "Oh Christmas Tree" could easily become "Oh Mantel Grand". What a simply elegant adornment. It goes on to my client's inspiration to bling up our existing drapery tassel tiebacks with the winter leaves foliage. I truly enjoy doing Christmas shopping with my clients while they select items as we go through a local holiday boutique full of possibilities. We always manage to get a great lunch in at a special cafe after we've finished the design purchases. This particular client happens to love decorating for all the holidays and has so many more decorations stored away, I almost think of her as Mrs. Claus now.

And if you would prefer a traditional design with a twist, take a look at this wonderful painted metalwork Nativity Scene....it glows and feels as if it's in movement. The small brown candles in the three kings' lanterns are actually chocolate scented, so although they do not smell like frankincense, they are a good subsitute. Look at the interplay of ornaments themes on this sparkling tree, from flying angels and music playing cherubs to hummingbirds and colorful glass balls. Whatever your theme is, enjoy the mixing of ornaments. As long as you keep a consistency in either color, scale, or style, you can achieve a good blend and harmony.

I'd also like to send you into Winter with this glorious image from my favorite photographer, Kevin Sink. A red cardinal on a bough....grace and nobility and a delight to the eye. The red cardinal is a male and the bolder the red color, the longer will be his lineage. He represents warm, vibrancy, and the color red itself is one of love.

Wishing all of you a safe, healthy, happy holiday season. See you in 2011.

Designer4You4Ever

Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.comDesign Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (you're here!)

P. O. Box 1623, Lincoln, CA 95648
Ph: 916 677.6792 Fax: 916 543.8782

NEW! We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to join. Design feedback and comments welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf developments.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully it is a career that moves and changes with me. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique and their styles are as well. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

A Designer's Thanks

2010-11-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome into my favorite time of year, from Thanksgiving through the Holidays, my beloved Christmas and the New Year's Celebration!

I think it starts out with lots of thanks being given for all our blessings whatever they are this year. That has to be coupled with delicious home cooked meals of a grand nature with lots of left-overs. It then proceeds onto giving thanks to a loving creator for our lives, our relationships, then giving our time and gifts during the holidays and sharing our presence with family, friends (I said presence, not necessarily presents!) It culminates with a celebration of the New Year which ushers in new ideas, plans and goals! November and December are recap months for the whole year, remembering the positives, giving thanks for same, sharing with others, and then getting back on the horse for a new and celebratory ride into 2011.

REMEMBERING: Remember what some of your rooms looked like before we designed them anew? Here are just a few....you'll recognize yours if it's here on this post. If it's not, look for it in another post soon. What a great time we had working on these together. I have great design memories of all kinds from way back in the SF Bay Area, FLA and NC. I only wish I had photos of every before and after. Remember your accomplishments and fun times. It's called cumulative joy!

THANKING: I am ever so thankful to be able to even do this blog! Who thought I could take the time to do a blog? But in those slower months, it allowed me to use my creative writing talent to give back knowledge, new design info and these photos for your enjoyment. I look forward to each post. My most important thank you? Of course always health & prosperity, your client projects, the teamwork support from my husband Chuck and my feline design assistant ... well, she's really still in training.

FEEDING: Spiritual feeding goes without saying and is the most important but we'll focus on cooking for a minute. I love to cook new meals ... it's a very creative process. The combinations of healthy ingredients, flavors, herbs and spices are important for the meal's success. Desserts are far and few between for me these days, so I choose them carefully ... from a simple dark chocolate bar with raspberry to tiramisu, a carmelized flan to a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream. A good friend of mine reminded me that "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts" spelled forwards. So now we all know why we're driven to binge on something sweet! In my design projects, the dessert would be the last phase which is the "spice up the room" Phase III Accessories and Artwork. The meal just isn't complete without the sweet, and that pertains to your designs too! So let's finish up some of that accessorizing soon. It will make a big difference on the "oohs and ahhhs" you hear and feel yourself.

GIVING, SHARING: Seems these are in a perfect circle. Giving as much of your help, ideas, encouragement and knowledge is always a good thing to share with others. If we didn't have a monetary system in place in order to survive and prosper and if commerce all happened in a barter type society; would you then choose the same job you have now? If the answer is yes, then you must love what you do. If you love what you do, that pours more energy into your life and profession/practice to succeed. Your Gifts: 1) practice them 2) share them, and 3) they give back to you again to use!

DREAMING: This one is my specialty. I am a dreamer mostly...I always shoot for the creative stars at first. That is what starts the project off on the right foot and creates the unique concept and blueprint for the job, then tying together the details all the way through. But my practical and organized side brings the project back into line with the reality of function and budget! Thank goodness for a balanced left and right brain. Dreaming is positive creativity and planning assures it's positive reality. What's new for you in 2011?

CELEBRATE: Acknowledging a fresh new beginning is exhilarating and something worth celebrating. How about a brand new year, twelve months full? We all love new starts.

TAKE A RIDE: Riding the rollercoaster of life, ups, downs and sideways. It's "all good" is a saying of one of my old friends and what I like to say is "enjoy the ride", since most of us did dream about it and planned most of it anyway, driven by a lot of heart desires and divine guidance. Just think how great the ride would be if we really "visually designed it all" ahead of time for the best outcome and result, just as my design projects are handled? SOME AWE in that statement! Celebrate Design.

THANK YOU,

Designer4You4Ever

Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (you're here!)

P. O. Box 1623, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: 916 677.6792 Fax: 916 543.8782

NEW! We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to join. Design feedback and comments welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia andSouth Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf developments.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique and their styles are as well. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Autumn Design Visions

2010-10-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my belated October blog posting. Apologies for the lateness of this post. However, did you know that October this year of 2010 has five (5) Fridays, (5) Saturdays and (5) Sundays, not to happen again in month of October for 823 years! That's a very amazing happening actually. Is it the longest October ever for all of us? No, just more days to celebrate the weekends! And more days to sightsee small towns, and watch the leaves change all over our countrysides, suburbs and cities. Lots of time to welcome in the change of season and to prepare for winter. So get the most business in you can, play as hard as you can before the really cold wintry weather, get those doctors' appointments out of the way, and end the month with that traditional spooky and fun Halloween holiday! Guess that's what I've been doing which is why I haven't posted on time :( When I lived on the east coast, October was my favorite time of the year, except for the Spring months of April and May. October meant new clothes, new boots, and crisper more colorful weather for one month only. After that, twig trees and gray skies showed up. So, it was time to hunker down, pad the nest, warm up the house, prepare some great comfort food, read some books, and in today's world, watch some great videos in your own home theatre room, however large or small.

Sound like a good introduction for home theatre conversation? You bet it is! What sounds better than having your own dinner theatre with your own movies where if you fall asleep on the sectional, the bedroom is only a short walk away! What I enjoyed the most about Halloween was really not the scarey stuff. It was dressing up to be someone I wasn't. Experimenting with costumes, wigs, wearing someone else's clothes and taking a journey as them for one short night was just a lot of fun. That's what our actors and actresses do practically all the time. Again, they get paid to be someone else! And movies transport us into their experience of this world when the lights go down and the curtains go up. It's magical.

Take a look at a couple of cozy family room/home theatre rooms and then sit back and enjoy the show of some lovely October images to finish up this very colorful season. Embrace the color orange as well as reds, which I use so much of, I know. Orange is not a favorite of most folks, but we do enjoy decorating with it this time of year. You'd be amazed to know what orange signifies. It is a combination of red and yellow, so it has the hot energy of red along with the joy and happiness of yellow. Orange is enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, good health and happiness. Being the color of autumn, it represents bountiful harvest, and stimulates appetite as well as it invigorates mental activity, not to mention what a small amount of orange will do to spice up a room's decor! This posting was short, but it makes up by being sassy, sweet and spicey as well. More blogs to come in November and December for two of my favorite holidays.

Happy Autumn to You.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever,

Pamela

AVALLON DESIGN
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (you're here!)
P. O. Box 1623
Lincoln, CA 95648
Ph 916 677.6792 Fax 916 543.8782

NEW! We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in AVALLON DESIGN and click on big house profile picture. Everyone is welcome to join. Post your comments or inquiries.

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception sales centers for golf development communities.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design in our industry, it allows me to continually learn more information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique as are their styles. Reaching our design goals for their living environments is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

This blog is truly inspired each month by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew and refine those relationships (personal or business) and you'll find your treasure...your ship will come in.

CELEBRATE DESIGN!

Art Images II: Reflections of the Season

2010-09-01T14:50:00.001-07:00

September is always a season of change for most of us. Summer is still hanging on (hopefully!), and we are enjoying our end of the year warm weather vacations. I don't really want to see summer end. But when the leaves start to change color and fall, and the brisk clean air breezes rustle the trees in my yard, I'm suddenly ready to welcome the new season's transformation.

As a carry-over from last month's posting, I'm focusing on nature's beauty in the form of art images of scenes viewed through one of my incredible artwork resources, Kevin Sink Photography. I located Kevin not too long ago and fell in love with his work. It was like finding "a pearl in the rough" and one of the finest pearls ever in the world of high end artistic photography. I have to confess that art remains one of my passions in this design field, and when I see an inspirational photographer such as Kevin, I want to share him with others.

In the past, I admit also that I have mostly leaned towards artist's handpainted creations as they were one of a kind looks, be they traditional realist style, impressionistic, abstract, eclectic or mixed media, etc. I tended to use photography in certain instances and focused more on people and architecture in this venue, as those images seemed to catch my attention more.

However, with Kevin's portfolio as you'll see, every photo image represents a unique shot in time. Each catches your attention and imagination and brings you to the very place he stood, as he captured the image. The realistic nature of these images combined with his artistic format expression makes them alive and dynamic. Gratefully, I am not limited to people and architecture anymore, as his selections have many themes which I can easily incorporate into my projects.

Color becomes the key memory point for most of my designs, and Kevin's images are also about precise and clear color and pattern. I also tend to like images that portray larger than life size scale of which he has many to offer. I can see a lot of these images as main accent wall pieces to set the theme of the room, or auxiliary pieces to adorn adjacent walls.

Nature's artistic beauty is therapy for all of us. Artwork is therapeutic in the home. It will soothe and heal the psyche and soul, or envigorate the senses. The appreciation of art has always been so subjective, so choose what you love. It's good affect upon you is truly measurable.

Finishes on the photography shown here today are offered in Matte Paper, Satin Paper, Canvas, or even Lacquer. These limited edition prints are produced with the highest level of craftsmanship using the finest archival materials. Sizes offered are numerous and some are also able to be custom sized at small upcharge. The most common image size I use prior to framing it, is approximately 30 x 38 or 24 x 36; 40 x 50 image is preferred for tall ceilings and large rooms.

DESIGN TIPS for selecting ART for home, office, business or yacht!

Select a wall that is seen as you enter and place your most dynamic piece there. Choose your subject matter because it means something to you. Let it inspire, energize, heal, relax or envigorate you.

If your upholstery is solid color, the sky's the limit. You can choose an art image which is power packed with color and pattern. (That's my favorite starting point, as I like to see the print, pattern and color in art, pillows and accent walls).

If your upholstery is multi-color pattern, select an image that is either a quieter theme and color scheme with muted tones, or use a larger than life scale subject image, with fewer colors.

Photographic Artwork are images which will liven up rooms. They will contemporize and update more traditional spaces. Select your subject matters carefully to compliment and juxtapose properly with your furniture style. You want your art to look like expensive and fine conversational accessories suited to your room's wardrobe.

Select a larger size image for over-scaled furniture pieces and in rooms with high ceilings. Horizontals or verticals both work well dependent upon location.

The right frame and liner or mat is important. Consult with your interior designer or a great frame shop who will guide you in this process. Keep in mind that overall size increases double the frame and matte size in both width and length for the piece.

Click on any of the photos to the right and it will bring you to Kevin Sink's website. When you are finished viewing his photos and site, click your mouse on the back arrow and it will bring you back to my blog.

AVALLON DESIGN is a dealer for Northern California for Kevin Sink Photography. Art consultation is available to select the images that work the best in your spaces by phone or as a personal home or office visit. Please call or email with price inquiries and to learn more about how photographic images can be introduced into your current and specific design theme. Pamela will be happy to work with you from image selection to finish mat and framing choices. Out of state client sales are welcome as well, and we will have images shipped directly to your home or office. If you desire guidance in selection process, email your requests along with digital photos of the rooms that will be receiving art, your name, address, phone #, and we will respond within 24 hours. Please mention our company name if you deal directly with Kevin Sink's site, as they desire to know where business originates from.

THANK YOU.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever

Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN
Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com (you're here!)
P. O. Box 1623, Lincoln, CA 95648
Phone: 916 677.6792 Fax: 916 543.8782

NEW! We're on FACEBOOK now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to join. Design feedback and comments welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the SF Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, Pam still travels for clientele as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf developments.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique and their styles are as well. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating a sound enjoyable design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

This blog was truly inspired by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew and refine those relationships(personal or business), and you'll find your treasure...your boat will come in.

CELEBRATE DESIGN !

Art Images for August Inspired by Life and Nature

2010-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Nature's Inspiration Nature's Inspriation Movie

Would love if you clicked on this above video first and watched it all the way through. This video came across my desk last week and I was in awe of every photo slide and quotation on the screen while the music relaxed my mind, spirit and body. The scenes were awesome, colors vibrant and subject matter exquisite and focused.

What if, we too, were to settle for nothing less in the design of our living spaces? Go for the dynamic look you've always wanted to have in your home...a look that defines you....your life....and your dreams. No reason to wait until later to do so. There's no time like the present to enjoy the beauty within your four walls where you spend on an average about 10-12 hours of your day. Even my brother who is the ultimate outdoor sportsman enjoys the beauty of a recently remodeled and decorated home, not to mention having made his living for many years custom designing and building homes for many clients. He would rather be outside skiing, sailing, and traveling but his pride in his home is notable and endearing to me just as his teaching me how to ski well was rewarding to him.

And so, we artsy designers, are truly not the only design divas! The whole world appreciates beauty at every turn. I have made my living beautifying people's homes and businesses, but hopefully also their lives in any way I might have touched them as a friend, encourager, or supporter along the way. People are paramount in my book and design solutions always emanate out of their needs and wish lists on their projects.

I want to focus on one specific clip of the video above (one of my three favorites), "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful. Welcome it in every face, in every sky, in every flower", by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Looking for the beauty and joy in all situations would be even better, although not always easy to do. I would also like to add, "welcome beauty inwardly as well, in ourselves and where we live." Focus on what our great qualities are and what makes us smile on a daily basis. Those would be our passion points "of view" that is!

My mother used to say often that beauty was in the eyes of the beholder. That is so true..what is beautiful to one person may not be to another, so how lucky we are to have so many people, places and things to cast our adoring eyes upon. Don't like the water? Then, go to the mountains. Don't like the country, camp out in the city! But there are some things that most of us agree are beautiful....even though we might not want to live there, live with, or see everyday! Those could be some of the scenes in this stunning video clip above. Yet closer to home, they could be the artwork images we place on our walls at eye level.

All images affect us profoundly, positively or negatively. We only have to see an image for a very short time and if it's a power packed subject matter, it will stay with us for a long while. It is so important to surround yourself with good images that support your psyche and stretch your dream envelopes. Until you take the time to really rework the design of your rooms to reflect where you want to go and how you want to feel, you may not buy into this concept as wholeheartedly as I do. Take some smaller steps and start with a trip to the museum and local art galleries before you jump in with your purchases. Hire a professional when you need a design guide to research, locate and coordinate your look, space plan, and select proper scale, color and style.

Let's look at some wonderful images here. Again, they may not be your first choices, but remember to see the beauty in every face, sky and flower.....forest path, waterfall, sailboat, ocean wave, beach front, sunset and more. Last but not least, don't forget to turn up the music.

These beautiful images are care of some magnificent lines which Avallon Design represents. If you have an interest in any of these artwork images or are seeking a specific subject matter and colorway, please contact me by email or phone and I will respond with answers to your questions, information or pricing.

Have you guessed what the other two clips on the above video were my favorites? If I tell you, I HOPE you can keep a SECRET! (Those were hints, but you knew that). You might have to look at that video again.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever
Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN

Visit our Website: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com
Our Blog: www.enhanceyourdesignviews.blogspot.com
NEW! We're on FaceBook now. Type in Avallon Design and click on the big house profile picture. Everyone is invited to join. Design feedback and comments welcome!

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the San Francisco Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, she travels still for clientele as requested from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf developments.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique and their styles are as well. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating an enjoyable and sound design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind, and desire at heart, we transform spaces into living art."

Pamela

This blog was truly inspired by so many old and new friends alike, family members and clients. People are the pearls and gems in life. Hone, renew, and refine those relationships (personal or business), and you'll find your treasure...your boat will come in.

Celebrate Design!

Celebration of Colors

2010-07-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

July has finally ushered in the hot temperatures of 100 a few times here in northern California and the rest of the country is dealing with the same. I'm beginning to wish my car had the remote control where you can turn the car and A/C system on, to cool the interior off ahead of entering the driver's seat!

We are fortunate to have air conditioning in most our homes and I am thankful of that often, having also lived in Arizona for 4 years where the summer was 6 months long with 100-116 degree weather! While July starts out with these red hot conditions, it also kicks off big with our July 4th celebration and fireworks, honoring our country's stars and stripes forever in reds whites and blues. The color red signifies excitement, drama, love, passion and pushes us into action (think about color of a fire truck). White represents purification, bringing all truth and understanding into the light. Blues just help to cool down the psyche, refresh the spirit and body, inspire ideas and sound thinking, lifting us to soar into our dreams. Our Forefathers knew what they were doing when they chose our symbolic colors.

I rarely see designs anymore that incorporate all three colors, but when I do page through a magazine and find this combination, it is always an eye opener. It's just dynamic and electric with lots of energy. Perhaps we all cannot live with that interior color scheme 24/7, but we can live with variations of it and glean some of these wonderful color traits for our own homes. I have a few rooms to show you how red hot reds sizzle, blues blissfully chill us out, and how whites as a light interior canvas can show off both of them so well. Before I do, I'd like to share a little of my career history to tie this together.

Some friends and clients have asked about my days back in Florida when I designed models for a major building corporation. I had the rare opportunity to work for this amazing company as a corporate model home designer. My stay with them spanned almost 4 years. I loved creating these color and furnishings concepts and all the work involved to measure, design, draw, present and order all the design elements. Then to supervise and install each model after 3-4months, all on one or two days, was truly like a celebration of it's own. It was hard work, but so rewarding in the end. We would arrive on the day of the install in our casual blue jeans, with drinks and food in our coolers. To the sound of music piped out of recessed speakers throughout the home, we worked until it was finished, down to every plant, accessory and piece of artwork. Such closure and beauty on each job. And so, I chose a couple of my models to show you some ideas for reds, whites and blues, in honor of 20 years that have gone by since their completion. I hope you enjoy viewing them, as they are near and dear to my heart and I also made some invaluable friendships with design associates with whom I am still in contact.

Reds added as an accent are so stunning in a home, so take a look at this model home in all it's redness! We were not permitted back then by corporate to paint walls a color other than cream, so all our color came through fabrics and wallpapers. Blues are restful, peaceful, flowing and adding gold to blue schemes makes the spaces absolutely glitter. And lastly, the only model I remember where I incorporated all three, red, white and blue (and then some....green and yellow are in there also), is this cheerful and vibrant gulf coast model with multicolor stripes and tropical florals, blanketed in a white walled and upholstered palette.

The canvas of each of these rooms above, as I mentioned, is cream and that allows for these reds and blues to pop and create maximum contrast. Red is such a motivating and invigorating color. It can be used in small amounts and make such a large statement. It can also be used in so many different color schemes, again in small accents. Experiment yourself with adding some red, or blue to your scheme in artwork, flowers or pillows. Blues are a cooler bunch and a little trickier as there are so many shades of blues out there. A little caution is advised on mixing blues; however, once you find the blue you love, know that it can be mixed with other colors as well. Again, you will either use blue to cool down a hot color scheme, or you might choose it all by itself against a dark espresso wall color for an updated contemporary look. Blues floating in a room of ivory/white and yellow is all about joy and happiness. Adding white will virtually clean the room and bring fresh air and newness back into it. All of these rooms are dramatic and cheerful and catch your attention. Model home design follows that mission. Staging a home for resale has the same intentions as well. Liven up your rooms with some model home design ideas and they will feel brand new again.

Today's home uses much more color on the walls, and I was happy to work with this client (a semi-retired designer herself, not afraid to use color), when I was hired to design in the furnishings for this upbeat eclectic home. The inspiration for her wall color sparked from a spectacular painted screen in the client's room. It also resembled an accent glamour fabric from my inspiration upholstery fabrics, which was a warm brownish red with gold faux finish with slight top sheen. The expert translation by her faux finish artist to the walls was nothing less than extraordinary in this current and exquisite home.

Thanks for viewings my Reds, Whites and Blues this July. Have a safe and scintillating summer.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever
Pamela Farnsworth

AVALLON DESIGN

Visit our website at: www.avallondesign.com
Design Inquiries: pam@avallondesign.com

Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Designer in Northern CA. Her most current projects are in the Sacramento area, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, El Dorado Hills, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Napa Valley and Sonoma. Having had a showroom for 16 years in the San Francisco Bay Area in Woodside and Portola Valley, she travels as well for clientele from Marin down to Carmel. Pam has also owned a design gallery in North Carolina for 9 years, a design office in Arizona for 4 years and worked in the states of Florida, Texas, Virginia, and South Carolina, designing custom residences, vacation homes, luxury model homes, country clubs and reception/sales centers for golf communities.

"I didn't choose this career...it chose me when I first moved to California. It lit a fire inside me that has been burning now for over 30 years and thankfully, it is a career that moves and changes with me as I grow myself. Since there are so many branches of design within our industry, it allows me to continually learn new information to apply to my projects. My clients are all unique and their styles are as well. Reaching our design goals for their living environment is paramount, while creating an enjoyable and sound design journey for them along the way. We become a design team. With design in mind, and desire at heart, together we transform interiors into living art."

Pamela

Fine Tune Your Design in June

2010-06-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Fine Tuning....An expression we're all familiar with.....It crosses so many fields of thought and practice. Fine tuning means getting a process or poduct refined to the point of a well sharpened pencil. It also means dotting our "i's" and crossing our "t's" and finishing our sentences well enough to render the truest and most accurate communication in whatever we do. A tuner is a device that allows us to hear radio waves and play music with amazing sound. A fine tuner would be one that went beyond our expectations in good sound and clarity, giving us a wonderful listening experience.

To fine tune an interior design entails all these definitions also and to do so will render an excellent design journey and client experience. As a designer, I am always sharpening my pencil on the design, on the budget, on my resources and presentation skills. Dotting my "i's" and crossing my "t's" means I go the extra mile to find items that are difficult to locate, to evaluate products, select color schemes, style themes, review room function and traffic flow, space plan efficiently, and communicate this all back to my clients with visuals and paperwork they can understand. Meeting and going beyond even my client's expectation is "fine tuning" a project to its maximum.

OK, so all projects are not that comprehensive, so let's take a look at some smaller design tasks. Fine tuning could also mean researching those kitchen countertops thoroughly so you're aware of every surface available on the market today, and also the cost per linear foot of each option. The kitchen is the design hub of the home, and we all know that the dollar improvements we put into the kitchen and baths, along with fresh wall and trim paint, and good floor choices are your best design investments. Small steps work the best. Research the counter selections both in your local stores and online. You will find out everything you need to know about a surface's durability, color availability, and warranty on the internet. It is always best to visit and deal with your local vendors though. They are the experts at getting those countertops fabricated properly for your home, and will stand behind their labor work and also solve any defective material situations that may arise. A custom kitchen cabinetry shop is a good choice for your job, although the larger home improvement warehouses are excellent too. Expo Design Center was one of my favorites and I know they were missed by many when they closed their stores. They were mega showrooms displaying a vast array of home improvement products and design vignettes all under one roof. Consult your designer to find all the right showrooms to view products she/he has specified. Seeing a myriad of installed or well displayed tile and flooring products really helps to envision the concept in your own home.

Here are five good rules to follow when making your selections: 1) Keep the design simple and stunning 2) When in doubt, don't go for the hard to get items, 3) Go with the flow in color, shape and finish. 4) Select the best quality you can afford after reviewing your budget and 5) Add a unique memory point to your project. It can be a fabulous accessory, appliance, accent tile insert, or hanging light pendants over a bar top.

Speaking of lighting, treat your trips to the local lighting stores as journeys into galaxies of earthly lights. At a gallery, I am able to show a client a particular chandelier, outdoor sconce or recessed fixture's luminosity and light spread. Certain lampshades or glass shades will also affect the color appearance of the light. A large showroom of fixtures is a luxury these days, so if you find one, support them with your business. Your designer can guide you to the best locations.

So whatever your design project is this June, enjoy the process of fine tuning it to your liking. They say the journey is more fun than the end result....I have to agree....I have happily made a living out of the process now for over 30 years.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever,

Pamela
AVALLON DESIGN
www.avallondesign.com

Nature Minded Designs

2010-05-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

If you've ever wondered how I get my inspiration for my next blogpost, truth is I wonder also! I just wait until I am inspired which is why my blog does not come out on any one day of each month, rather in the first week or so into the month. Well this month is no exception. With the crazy Spring weather which thinks it should also behave like winter weather with heavy cold windy rainy days popping up every other week, we all do not know what end is up lately. One day I'm sporting allergies to the pollen and grasses, and the next day I'm sniffling and setting the thermostat to heat again. My last blog post was all about outdoor designs which I enjoyed writing about a great deal. I like thinking about relaxing under umbrellas with cold drinks out in the backyard, so I couldn't bear to let April's posting go away too quickly. So.....I have decided that I still need to write more about the outdoors and how nature influences design, until Spring decides it's here to stay....maybe at least until Summer shows up.

I went to my local community's Garden Tour this past week and it was glorious. Ten home gardens, front and backyards both open for all of us to linger through at our own pace and admire the designs that each homeowner selected for their own personal retreat areas. How relaxing was this? Very much so. I realized that I have always loved flowers and always will. So much of my favorite designs in the past have been centered around artwork with subject matters of landscapes, mountains, oceans, trees, flowers, and architecturally beautiful buildings amidst flowers and trees. I've always been very fond of birds also...all kinds. Our own backyard nature is amazing and it seems most all design derives from nature with its varying colors, shapes, forms, and fronds. If you sit or walk quietly in a nature setting for a good 1/2 hr, you'll realize that all is right with the universe and that there is an order to it. Even the birds and rabbits which fly and run around our nature preserve areas really have a purpose and a routine which they follow intuitively. They also play joyfully and unexpectedly in between those routine tasks that drive them to keep so busy. I sit there sometimes and realize I am most certainly sitting in their neighborhood also (not just mine), watching their families grow and thrive and I sense a peace from it and new thoughts about design appear for me.

I am sure you've noticed when you're at get-togethers, that design conversations about home projects catch everyone's ears, light up everyone's eyes, and touch on their heart's desires to fix up their own homes. Everyone loves to design for themselves a better life or a more comfy abode. Home real estate has been a passion for me, but I've decided it is because I really enjoy viewing the layouts, creating functional space plans, and enhancing the colors, styles, textures, lighting and materials within that space. I like to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out so there's a unity and a melody to the design, like music that fills the room. And music is the most healing and inspiring sound which puts the finishing touch on your experience of the room as you sit with friends and family sipping drinks and sharing cutting edge, award winning ideas or just silly mind wanderings.

The photos I've posted this month are some of the wonderful yards we saw on the Garden Tour. These folks were inspired to create their own personal sanctuaries. Meandering through these yards was enchanting. It's no wonder we designers take our designs from nature and incorporate them into our area rugs and fabrics for the interiors. It is Springtime 2010. Enjoy your life and make the most of it every day.

Designer 4 You 4 Ever,
Pamela

Outdoors by Design

2010-04-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

March teased us with its intermittent Spring, but April will be the "real deal" with color popping up everywhere now. The light intermittent rain this month clears the skies to a crystal blue with white puffy cloud status on a regular basis. Outdoor living is a big deal these days wherever you reside. With our vacation budgets for long distance trips on hold these days, we are focused on making our backyards beautiful, functional and FUN! The word vacation means the very act of vacating, as in leaving our homes to seek the thrill of traveling to new and wonderful places/resorts. Although I know our backyards do not compare with some far-away island paradises, I do know that taking a few days off and just staying around your own "home resort" enjoying a glass of wine and grilling in your own backyard is as relaxing as it gets. It feels as if you suddenly own more time and it is a lot less stressful than meeting planes, trains, rental cars, and running a fast race keeping up with your own self-imposed itinerary.

I know this well, as I have become a great fan of those 2-3 day short trips to the coast, the wine country and the mountains, mostly due to time/work constraints and yes... budget. What these constraints have done for me, though, is four-fold in the freedoms I have received back in 1) relaxation time, 2) money savings, 3) exploration/adventure of my local cities and state, and 4) creating my own backyard resort to visit anytime, no reservations needed.

Home Sweet Vacation Home! Take a look at some of these wonderful backyard photos and decide for yourself how you might improve and enhance your own outdoors. But beware of design improvements, because your friends and family are bound to show up and vacation with you when you least expect it. These pictures are really decked out with ideas, so take a few notes on ones that might apply to your own specific patio, porch or yard.

Built-in BBQ's are wonderful additions, especially if you can add a high bar island for your guests to enjoy drinks and appetizers, next to where the chef is busy creating the main meal. That way, he (or she) is not all alone and can sit down and join into the conversation. If you have a stand alone BBQ unit, place a bartop or bistro table nearby to create the same atmosphere.

Speaking of seating, today's patio furniture designs are so exciting and more comfortable than ever, with thick cushioning in all weather fabrics in more colors and patterns imaginable. Adding accent pillows and outdoor blankets will add drama and warmth. I love the feeling of a living room outside under the sun and stars.

Kivas, or Built-in Fireplaces are very popular out here on the West Coast. With our cold dry winter nights, this heat source means more outdoor time year round. And just like an indoor fireplace, it will become the focal point of the outdoor area. Another option is to use a "chat pit" or "fire table" at cocktail height in round, square or rectangular, or at counter or dining height. The chat pits also offer a lazy susan option for appetizers and drinks if you'd prefer. Again, they become a focal point for your club chairs, rockers, sofas or dining chairs. Great for entertaining.

Today's patio table top selections are excellent, from glass to emperadora marble, natural slate, noche travertine, rainforest mosaics, tumbled marble and even cast aluminum tops with cut-out medallion designs instead of plain mesh. I have found even if stone tops are too expensive to use everywhere, at least one item such as cocktail table or dining is enough to make an impact for the whole grouping. Check out your local patio stores' inventory of outdoor plastic dishes, glassware and centerpieces. You'll be amazed how these items can spice up your resort look.

Umbrellas, which speak the language of "resort" fluently, are a must in my book! You cannot have too many umbrellas unless you're fortunate to have a covered porch with arches as shown. With so many colors, shapes and sizes available to canopy your spaces and shade the sun, umbrellas coordinate easily with your furniture groups. If in doubt, match your umbrella color to your earthtone siding house color or roof color.

And for my favorite item...if at all possible...treat yourself to some Outdoor Couture. Drapery panels create such a special effect for defining seating areas and lending some privacy. These panels come in many sunbrella fabrics and fringes, several widths and lengths and with good looking exterior rods and hardware. And if custom is what you need, a good awning company can provide the design, fabrication and installation.

Well, as usual Design is blooming and this project could be the most fun you'll have in a long time. Remember to bring both the indoors out and the outdoors in by flowing your color and style themes and coordinating your finishes. Add fresh or potted flowers to your tables and turn on the music to add some ambiance. Wishing you Bon Voyage and the easiest travel time to your new "At Home Resort".

P.S. If you still miss the ocean as I do, you might have to think about investing in a water feature, small or large...but that's another whole topic for a future posting!

Pamela

Contact pam@avallondesign.com if you need help designing and planning your new "Home Resort". AVALLON DESIGN is a full service Interior Design and Outdoor Design firm. Pamela is an IIDA Professional Interior Design Consultant since 1976. Photo contributions care of Pamela, AVALLON DESIGN clients, CALIFORNIA BACKYARD, Chuck Smith clients, and vendor O.W. LEE FURNITURE.
Many thanks.
www.avallondesign.com
www.californiabackyard.com
www.owlee.com

Design Blossoms March into Spring

2010-03-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

A Tapestry of Daisies
Winter is almost over but March is still raining hard and making our hills green here in California. Spring is still not here yet; however, the dogwood and crepe myrtle trees have decided it's already time to spread their flowers and it's a beautiful sight. I love it when nature's flora pops out their colors even though winter is not done with us yet. Nature is faithful, producing new life as soon as it possibly can, on the first warm day that arrives in between late winter storms. You might say that nature's flora beats to its own drum, and stands ready and waiting to explode its bounty of beauty upon us. We, too, can stand prepared to turn our faces towards Spring and let our hopes and dreams lift our spirits again out of the winter blues. It's all about timing, transitions and transformations which we discussed last month. But since we're in March, let's talk about our march out of cold hibernation into a Spring celebration.

In Interior Design, Springtime is all about the flowers...their punch of color, style, arrangements, freshly transforming the rooms within your home. After the transition of Wintertime's review, contemplation and planning, it's time to ask this question. So, for the love of Spring...what is it that you would really like to see bloom this year for yourself? I'm thinking the top five answers are 1) good health 2) good paying job or income 3) comfort and security, 4) better relationships and more love, and 5) having more time for play, travel, or creating a resort of your own at home. How did I do?

So while fresh gentle floral scented breezes usher in new buds and blossoming flowers, follow the flow and focus on some fresh starts. From the list below, choose some of your favorite flowers in your mind...the ones you absolutely love to have indoors and or outdoors. Once you've located some beauties, arrange them in vases or pots; and better yet, add some new floral artwork in your home in the way of a tapestry, a painted canvas, limited edition framed art, simple poster art, or some beautifully handpainted plates or bowls on stands. All these accessory items will create stunning focal points for your rooms. Design and redefine your life and your interior spaces so they will reflect and support your ideals. A link for flower meanings is shown at the bottom of this post.
Although some meanings overlap, it is amazing to know what these flowers have represented through the years to past cultures. Don't look until you've found your favorites. More fun that way.

Which are your choices?

Amaryllis, Anthurium, Asters, Azaleas, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lily, Camellias, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Daffodils, Daisies, Gladiolus, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Iris, Jasmine, Lilac, Orchids, Peonies, Poppies, Roses, Sunflower, Tiger Lily, Tulips, Wisteria.

Now, in case you're wondering, which flowers I chose as my favorites....

I love Camellias, Roses (Coral & Yellow) and all color Tulips.
For a centerpiece in a home, I use Amaryllis often in varying shades for drama and "splendid beauty". With my Camellias, I need to focus on admiration, seek good luck, practice gratitude and nobility of reasoning, with the love and passion of a rose...and lastly...tulips signify perfect love in general with each color adding another facet of meaning.

Hope your spirit and your home blossom this year with new and wonderful additions and improvements.

Pamela

To get symbolic meanings for your flowers, check out:
www.livingartoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm

Timing, Transitions and Transformations

2010-02-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

We are right in the middle of winter as are millions of other folks around the world. It's cold, rainy, snowy and windy these days. Lots of elements bombarding us from nature, including a horrific earthquake, floods, mudslides, blizzards, with icy temperatures frigid enough to cause a plethora of problems. How do we cope with all of this? It's nothing new of course. Mother nature has been at it like this for many thousands and thousands of years and is always pretty much ON TIME with these weather events each and every winter season. The earthquakes are a bit harder to predict, but even our seismologists know somewhat when our tectonic plates are going to shift. We cope by being more aware of our harsher surroundings, planning better between storms, and enjoying the quiet beauty of the depth of the season by reading books, cooking creatively, spending time with friends and family, and making "to do" lists, while looking for the sun to shine its face again.

This blog is such a creative endeavour for me and my intention is to uplift your design spirit as well as share some of my design experience, knowledge and visuals for the joy of it. So although this winter has brought a lot of problems everywhere which have touched our hearts, I am going to move forward with my task at hand....lifting your spirits in the winter time of the design world.

I would say winter is a time of TRANSITION between a beautiful Fall full of rich autumn colors and a Spring ready to burst into a rainbow of bright colors. Use this season for transitioning your life, work and family goals. Write down where you want to go, what you want to do, who you want to connect with. I know, as an interior designer, traditionally my work has always been the slowest in the months of January and February. We designers work quickly to finish clients' projects prior to the holidays; and then except for a few longer term jobs that follow into January, we see the bulk of new projects starting in March again.

I like the winter season as it allows me to concentrate on those overall design plan projects which started at the end of the previous year, and play catch up with my own goals business wise and personal. The air is cold and crisp and I believe it is a good time of clear thinking, and efficient decisions. Use some of this Jan. and Feb. time to prioritize the rooms which are most important to redesign for better function and beauty, so that you and your designer can finish them in time for Spring/Summer. It still takes the typical 6-12 weeks to pull a project together. Work on your list now and get ahead of the game.

When the timing is right, and the right transitions have been made through careful planning and design, then room TRANSFORMATIONS will easily and beautifully happen through a good teamwork effort of client and designer. Pictures speak louder than words, so take a look at some of my design transformations in the form of "before and afters". Afters are shown first! You'll find a master bedroom which had great bones to start with and only got better, a living room which had a complete cosmetic facelift, and an unusual passage-way room transformed into a stunning "cocktails before dinner" social space, with a mirrored bar, fabric padded walls and glass shelves filled with accessory treasures from clients' travels.

So this is a time for planning, making lists, re-evaluating your rooms and the activities within them, improving the function of your workspaces, clearing the clutter, adding more light (there are less hours of sunshine in the winter), and looking towards some minor or major color and style changes for the Spring.

Pamela

Design Awakenings 2010

2010-01-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

"Out with the old and in with the new" is an expression I keep hearing from everyone in their emails from last year. All are hoping for new beginnings in this space age sounding year of 2010 (two thousand and ten!). I, too, am placing my faith in this New Year that all the stops and starts from a trying 2009 will be replaced with full throttle ahead into a refreshed and revived economy. However, I do feel as if there has to be some real "awakenings" before that happens. If you remember, I mentioned in last month's post that first and foremost, the key to solving problems was "illumination" shedding light and awareness on the situation. Being a designer, I think in visuals all the time, so lighting up those candles and adding crystals to your chandeliers all brought our minds to a focal point of introspection, prayer, and meditation in December. Take the time to do this again this New Years Eve and during the first weeks of January to pinpoint your true dreams and aspirations for a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

DESIGN AWAKENINGS will happen in the market as the world goes through its own awakenings, ever evolving. The fashion and design artists everywhere use their creative senses to guide their work and you could say they spiritually connect with their dreams for the good of the world or the current enlightments of the world for their design inspiration and direction. In a not so perfect world, let's explore some simple ways to improve our design views.

AWAKEN YOUR COLOR PALETTE ... Color schemes have been rather drab for years. The muted and warmer colors of a rich, royal and reserved nature have been predominant for years in our Tuscan and Old World interiors. Many of us have been nestled in our blankets of caramel, wine, berry red, mocha mint, eggplant,and butterscotch. Wait, that picture still actually sounds good to me, especially in this winter season. But, what's missing here? It's BLUE ! Blue shades are traditionally more difficult to find. But every year, a new collection does arrive with wonderous shades of glacier, seaglass, spa, seafoam, baltic, robins egg, turquoise, and mineral. Don't you feel awakened and refreshed just hearing their names? I fawn over these fabrics for days, and put my request in to the universe to bring me the client who loves them. Very rarely will I get a whole home full of blues. But one room will due, and adding accents to other warmer tone rooms in your artwork, accessories, pillows, trims, candles, etc. will awaken the color scheme. "Out with the old, in with the new .... some BLUE".

CONTEMPORIZE AND BLEND .... it's 2010! Space age is not the look I'm going for here; however, I do think that spaces feel younger, more interesting and updated, when there are contemporary elements added to the mix. A traditional room can be stuffy and boring and really needs an unusual guest to enter bravely, and liven up the joint. So think about some hand embroidered/hand painted or other glamour accent pillows, the addition of clean lined glass vases, candle holders and mirrored accent pieces. Tall stands of flowers in cylinders are amazing. Changing out your cocktail table to an iron and glass piece or a large scale ottoman with a wood inlay design or lacquered serving tray accessory will do the trick. Add a contemporary sculpture or a more contemporary watercolor art piece to a very traditional area. You might also consider new hanging pendant light fixtures in a single scavo or etruscan glass bowl design for your kitchen, bathrooms or dining areas. "The trend is to mix and blend in 2010!"

WISHING YOU a New Year Awakening filled with best of health, happiness, love, peace, prosperity and, of course, as much Interior Design fun that you can afford! Pamela

Interior Design for the Holidays

2009-12-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

It's nearing the Holidays and we all know what that means. Lots of opportunities to try out some new recipes, have more dinner parties and celebrate the season. It's also time to move furniture and accessories around to dress up our homes to make room for Christmas trees, Menorahs, Nativity Scenes; and let's not forget, visiting family members and friends from near or afar. It is no wonder we love this time, with its spiritual meaning first, and also for the buzz of activity and feel good tasks we immerse ourselves in. These tasks are all creatively driven and they make us natural born decorators during a magical time when we are all on the go. Here are but a few of my interior design ideas to add to your list.

LIGHT Let there be light in our lives. Candles of course, as many as you like, in one multi candelabra holder, menorah or in separate holders. T'is the season for candles and prayers. Choose prayers this year over presents and place candles in holders anywhere you wish to create an atmosphere of tranquility. Light those candles up and be there in the quiet of the moment, reflecting upon any and all good things, our loved ones, our country and hopes and dreams. Illumination is the first key to solving problems. I also love the look of crystals hanging from the arms of chandeliers, adding more reflected light around the dinner table. Both chic and romantic!

DECOR BOXES Purchase some lovely decorated boxes (sturdy ones) which can be used every holiday. This conserves on wrapping paper(green idea), and place whatever size items you have in them. Leave some boxes empty! It saves money and still looks festive. Abundance starts in the mind and heart and creates out from there.

ADD A THEME Add an additional theme to your Christmas tree each year by placing 3-4 new items which touch your heart for some reason. Last year I found floral hand-painted ornaments which reflected my love of the roses I see in the backyard area every day. I bought them on sale right before Christmas. They were a gift in themselves, and they worked great with my other ornaments.

ELEMENT OF SURPRISE Move your decorations around each year. Don't set up everything the same way each year. Variety is the real spice of life, especially during Holiday time. The element of surprise when your family and friends find your large Santa Claus now on the Foyer table greeting them as they enter (instead of on the hearth), will make them chuckle (sorry, pun intended). Re-energize your spaces with placement changes.

NEW FURNITURE LAYOUTS Christmas trees sometimes dictate furniture be moved around to accomodate them. Get your furniture mover pads out and enjoy the change around. Oftentimes it will open your eyes to a new layout which you hadn't considered, and that you will like better. As you prepare the guest bedrooms for guests, simplify the furniture pieces in there to allow for better room flow.

PHOTOS Bring out all the photos of your friends and family which you've collected through the last year and place them in frames on your Foyer table, LR mantle, or top of Piano. Watch the big smiles on your guests' faces. People are your ultimate blessings in times of trouble. Appreciate them, cherish them and tell them you do by showcasing them as the stars of your life.

PILLOWS Add some holiday cheer to your covered front or back porch area on benches, loveseats or rockers with seasonal theme pillows. Create an outdoor room to greet your guests this holiday and extend your own living space. Seasonal pillow changes on your indoor upholstery also is a great way to give your room a design facelift.

COLORS Richer in Red, Healthy in Green, Good as Gold, Sensational in Silver, True as Blue, Sacred in Purple and Light by White. So many variations of these colors exist, like wine, berry, fuschia, coraltone, sage, lime, emerald, teal, aqua, etc. and more. Don't be afraid to lighten up or darken your existing color scheme by adding in slight color variations into your theme. I have added some purple ornaments recently to my tree. A regal touch.

MUSIC Last on my list but should have been first! That's OK, you know the verse, "so the last will be first and the first will be last". I LOVE music of all kinds. Fill the room with melodic music this season and always. I know this goes without saying.

Interior Design Blessings to all and to all a Good Night!

Design Details for Dining

2009-11-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Great season we are entering. It's so nice to begin this blog entry around Thanksgiving time. I really love Thanksgiving for many reasons. Although my own family is slim, it is still a joy to celebrate the season with thanks in mind and heart for our great relationships, accomplishments and blessings that filled in our year thus far. It's really true that focusing on the good things in your life will multiple your future successes. I know it's hard right now, but again, it's like the design vision board phenomenon. Set your goal images, and watch them materialize in the most unexpected ways. Think about a "Bountiful Harvest Dinner" this season and decorate for it.

It's only appropriate that we speak about preparing your home for the holidays and exploring and enjoying the ritual of decorating your dining table. Now that you've set the scene in your main room with some dynamic artwork to enhance the view for yourself and your visitors, let's delve into some design details. Table settings are really creative these days. So much to choose from in the home market place to fill in those areas of your table that need some punch. Fabric runners are so elegant to use in lieu of placemats, and they are come in many sizes and colors or can be custom designed as you can see from my photos here. Think about using 2 narrow runners on a wider top table, or an extra wide runner which will eliminate those placemats. Start with your best dinnerware or china, then add some great charger plates under them to add depth, texture and color. Gem colors are prevalent out there in charger plates, glassware, candleholders, candles, and vases in colors of wine, emerald green, butterscotch, eggplant, pumpkin, cobalt, gold and espresso. These solid colors will work with most dinnerware designs. The appropriate style napkins will ceremoniously fall and fold into place either in wine glasses peaking their heads up towards the ceiling or traditionally relaxing under the dutiful silverware or goldware. Then add some jewelry to the table in your napkin rings and place card holders. While you're at it, add some jewelry to the arms of your chandelier as well and create even more conversation. You can change out the shades on your chandelier to a rich warm red or bronze silk to add more ambiance.

When I was doing custom model home work, one mandate that came from the President of our corporate office was: "Please add one fun item to each room." I love that concept, because fun is always in! There's even a website devoted to the fun theory. It not only sells a model home but it creates enjoyable experiences which open up the mind to new ideas, while pumping up our serotonin levels!

So, finally, place a grand elegant centerpiece or a series of 2,3 or 4 similar pieces on your table, (traditional, modern, seriously gorgeous or totally fun), light the candles, turn up the music, and enjoy a designer delicious meal with friends and family.

See you next month.

Visions and Views

2009-10-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Autumn Greetings! What beauty abounds everywhere at this time of year. I am partial to wearing warm autumn colors year round anyway. With holidays all through until the end of the year, it's definitely a time to enhance your design views. Dinner parties, get togethers and out of town guests all request your attention to your home accents. Last month we got through my "creation and recreation" philosophy, and now it's time to get into the heart of the art in your home. To get there, we'll talk visions and views. I signed off last month hoping you would list your favorite colors, styles, places, people, etc. in a journal or post them on a Vision Board. By the way, a Vision Board can be a fabric peg board, chalk board, or as I like to do it...a mirror on my master bedroom wall, where I tape up my goals and hearts desire photos inside the frame perimeter, leaving a mirrored space in center so I can still look into the mirror and see myself in the midst of it all. This is such a fun and valuable process, as these visuals will imprint upon your mind as you view them daily, just as TV programming affects you. We are a visual society in a physical world, where seeing is believing. Believing is conceiving. So fill your board up and just live with it for a while. If nothing else, you'll become more in touch with what you want to achieve. I bet it gets better than even that.

As we begin here, it's important to know that it does not have to cost a fortune to enhance your design views in your home. The eye upon entering a home will follow a path of vision directly in front of it, seeking windows to the outdoors for a view. A VIEW, it's what we all love and want. Homes seem to sell faster with it. And many a deep and relaxing breath is taken when a view meets our eyes. For several of my clients, that view is an amazing one through multiple large windows off great rooms, living rooms, or breakfast nooks. Take advantage of this and dress these view windows in a way that will not take away from the scenic outdoors. Designing simple and elegant window treatments will also save on the budget. Now most of us may have a more standard home with only one or two windows off a living area. Simply dressed again is the rule here, plus introduce your "personal vision" artwork and select the subject matter to create the look you love. It will set the tone for the entire room as you enter, add more VIEW to your room in absence of windows, and possibly catch the adoring breath of many visitors. It may be somewhere you've been or where you want to visit, or the art may be objects, forms, shapes and colors that inspire or nurture you, your vocation, or just stimulate great conversation.

The art of Feng Shui says that as you enter a home, if a window or door is directly opposite your front door, that energy and money will flow in, cross the room, and flow right out. We sure don't want that to occur, especially in light of our current economic times. So if you have only one large window in this position and you want to keep the view open, consider a few options. Place a tall plant near the window to block some of the energy flow, or a pedestal with urn or sculpture (favorite piece - vision board opportunity!), some rich drapery panel hangs. And of course, divert the eye to the left or right with that spectacular artwork or tapestry, drawing the viewer's focus back into the room. Interestingly, I discovered (since I have this window opposite front door in my home) that a tall potted bamboo palm tree placed outside that window in my patio area does the trick also. The patio furniture which backs up to this window stops the eye again and focuses it on both my outdoor and indoor living rooms and my large accent pillows!

Another great idea is to add a faux finished window panel on a wall that is blank in a room that needs a view. In my case this hand- painted artwork actually became my vision board of sorts. I had purchased it for one of my design showrooms years ago and I loved the mountain/lake views, the french doors and the sweet feline resting on it's deck. It sat in my design showroom for 2-3 years in my line of VISION every day. Then we moved, and it got stacked and hidden in the garage. Shortly after that, I adopted a timid sweet girl cat who proceeded to go into hiding herself under sofas and beds for the first year. Today the panel is back out of the garage in my breakfast nook, and I laugh as I see how the two cats do resemble each other every morning over coffee as I gaze at view out my faux window. See for yourself. I've posted a picture!

Visions and Views.....Have you had your daily design vitamins today?

Rejuvenation by Design

2009-09-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful Sunday morning as I post this entry in my blog. With the birds still singing as if it were summer and the bunny rabbits running and playing on the hills behind us, it feels as if summer will never end and that would be OK with me. My views outdoors are great and nature has always been a peace giver and a healer. That is probably why I have always brought a lot of the "outdoors" into my indoor interior design. If you browse through most mail order home catalogues and the large retail decor stores, you will also see nature in the designs of their best selling fabrics, area rugs, artwork and accessories. We love our planet earth and all the God given beauty in the cloud studded skies, the glimmering waters and the colorful flora and earthtoned fauna. We go to the earth, the sky and the water views for our rejuvenation with thankfulness and we feel alive and connected. Our need for travel is all about needing that connection. Wouldn't it be nice to come home and feel like your home was as rejuvenating as your trip or more so? Before we leap into the solution, let's go back to "creation" for a moment.

Design is all about creation. In my field, it is actually more about re-creating, since we start with the clients' given design elements and style, mix in ideas from a myriad of snapshots in our minds of rooms we've loved over the years, other designer mentors' projects we've seen and admired, while guiding it all with our own design sensibility, scale, and spice (drama). Therefore, in most cases (other than my clean slate projects), I am re-creating. But the miracle of it all is that the room becomes "unique" out of this design soup process! Rejuvenation occurs through....wait, of course, recreation! Guess our rooms need a vacation too.

I am a bit philosophical this morning granted. But since this is just my second post ever, creation seemed appropriate.
Meanwhile, think about your favorite seasons of the year, favorite colors, styles, flora and fauna, architecture, sports, hobbies, and geographical locations and write them down. Start a design journal or a vision board of these items. We'll talk about incorporation of same later. Enjoy the Day.

2009-08-25T13:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first "Enhance Your Design Views" posting.

My friends have all told me I write well, and I do enjoy writing and creating imagery....so here I am doing my first design blog! I am a rather detailed person who is also very creative and the two usually work well together, as long as the creativity comes first in the process, with the rounding up of all crucial details later. After the interior concept has emerged and blossomed in all its possible design elements is when the details kick in and carry the project to completion. I do love a good project.

However, in these economic times, it seems as if design projects are fewer and our budgets are a bit slimmer. So how do we stay creative when it feels as if there is a ball cap on our heads, holding in those creative thoughts which want to go all out, but are held down by limited scope and spending plans?

It's simple. Keep it simple and GO WITH THE FLOW! Go back to your design roots and start with a simpler plan and be happy to work it! Believe me, it will re-energize you as it has me. It will bring back the sweet simpleness of the task at hand. I have been re-inspired through these tough times and have remembered my beginnings which were full of newborn power-packed ideas and endless energy. Learning to love your profession all over again... who wouldn't want that? As we are all being pushed to reinvent ourselves, our lives, our jobs, perhaps we'll figure out in this downturn what is really important, what we love to do and do it! Put on your 2009/2010 goggles and take flight on some new views.

And so...when I am between those larger projects, which is more often these days, my main focus is on "enhancing your design views", which really means personalizing your spaces to reflect what your loves and goals really are. Create a sort of "vision board" in the interior spaces of your home. What you are looking at daily inside or outside your home should be an inspirational field of dreams for you. More to come....