Give Your Home Curb Appeal

With many people spending more time at home due to COVID-19, homeowners are taking a closer than usual look at their surroundings, both inside and out.  Now with the summer months upon us, we are enjoying more time outside and maybe crave a few updates and changes.  During stressful times beautiful outdoor surroundings can bring solace to you and your family.

But if you intend to put your home on the market the main draw to buyers when first laying eyes on your soon-to-be-sold home is “curb appeal” or how it looks from the street.  If you can draw potential owners in with the first glance, you are far more likely to get them in the front door and convert to a buyer.  A professional interior designer can keep you from making costly mistakes and knows what trends buyers are looking for. As a single source interior design firm, Carole Lee Interiors provides both design services and complete general contracting to provide you with turnkey solutions for your projects.

Here are a few things we are available to help you with to improve the curb appeal of your property.  And, who knows, after you have completed all of these gorgeous upgrades you may want to keep your home after all.

  • Landscaping: Trimming your shrubs so perspective buyers can see the house.
  • Pressure washing:  Clean your siding, driveways, walkways, patios and decks.
  • Exterior Painting: Adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door or the entire house.
  • Outdoor lighting: Installation of updated porch fixtures and walkway lighting.
  • Outdoor Accessories: Order management of planters, porch and patio furniture
  • Masonry: Redo walkways with flagstone, brick, concrete or hardscaping.
  • Construction & Remodeling: Make your front porch larger or add a deck.
  • Roofing:  Cleaning or repair any problems with your roof.

We are now back open, fully operational and welcome the opportunity to give your home a refresh.  Give us a call today.  Happy summer!

Home as Your Sanctuary

With the country (and most of the world) finding themselves stuck indoors due to the escalating coronavirus crisis, many of us are having to adjust to working from home, working out at home and being limited with how many times we can leave the house.

First and foremost, our hearts go out to anyone who’s been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Our thoughts are especially with those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. And we’re truly inspired by the selfless healthcare workers, first responders, grocery workers, truck drivers and the many others who are on the front lines working tirelessly to care for people in need.

Everyone needs to do their part. As an Interior design firm, we know that your environment can impact your well-being and productivity. And now that we’re all spending the foreseeable future at home, we thought we would put together a few ideas to help create your own home sanctuary and hope to make life just a tiny bit better.

• Bring in the natural world by adding planters & garden boxes for a calming vibe.
• Add colors that make you happy and feel serene.
• Bring a room to life with scents and flowers.
• Declutter your workspace and main living areas.
• Make your bedroom a cocoon.
• Create bath time bliss with fresh linens, a soaking tub and candles.
• Organize your kitchen with new kitchen storage solutions.
• Enjoy meals with family with farm-to-table accessories
• Recharge your patio with cozy chairs and colorful cushions.
• Add firepits for evening family gatherings.

Take care, stay well and let’s get through this together.

Sincerely,
Carole Lee

What is BESPOKE Interior Design?

The word bespoke has evolved from a verb meaning “to speak for something,” to its contemporary usage as an adjective that has changed from describing first tailor-made suits and shoes, and later, anything commissioned to a particular specification (altered or tailored to the customs, tastes, or usage of an individual purchaser), and finally to a general marketing and branding concept implying exclusivity and appealing to a high end luxury market.

For example, when it comes to furniture, bespoke furniture quit simply is custom- made furniture for your home, designed for exactly what you need, where you need it, what you need it for and exactly how you want it to look.  Typically, a quality piece will be commissioned using the materials you want, based on your budget. When talking about kitchens, bespoke kitchens refer to a kitchen that is designed to order, unique in its specification and tailored to the exact requirements of its owner.

These same attributes can be applied to interior design.  At Carole Lee Interiors we look at design as art, and believe exceptional interior design melds style with purpose, and is an aesthetic study in balancing crisp, clean design with the warmth of traditional architectural details. Every project we accept will be custom tailored to your space, your needs and your budget.  Our goal is to enhance the way people use or live in their space and  to create interiors that are truly unique. It is this versatility that is the key to our bespoke interior designs.

We invite you to contact us today to schedule a consultation.

How to Decorate with An Area Rug

Adding a modern area rug to a room that lacks excitement can solve your problem. While that alone is a good enough reason to decorate with a rug, there are many others good reasons as well. An area rug completes a room by tying together the different design pieces visually. A rug can also anchor a room, define it, add warmth, and help layer a room’s decor.

Here are a few ideas on how to decorate with area rugs:

Use Rugs to Define Areas 

Use a rug to separate or define areas, such as seating or dining areas, and foyers. This is especially useful in apartments or larger rooms a that need a visually divider and definition.

Create Variety 

You can use rugs to create variety within a space. When you use two area rugs in a room, be aware that sometimes rugs the same size can visually cut the room in two. Instead consider different sized area rugs to create visual divisions and variety.

Create Harmony 

When using more than one rug, use area rugs that complement each other in both style and color palette. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect. Too many patterns not well managed in a room can create a disconnect and ruin the sense of decorative harmony.

Control the Volume 

Area rugs can visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your upholstery or wallpaper has an ornate pattern, choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern or bolder colors to add more interest to your room.

Create a Focal Point 

Area rugs are great when used as a focal point and can make a huge impact. Create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug’s accent colors.

Try Different Shapes

Not all area rugs need to be rectangular in shape. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug, then select either a square, round or oval shape to complement your furniture arrangement.

Update a Room 

Area rugs can easily be changed out along with pillows and possibly window treatments, to update a room for changing seasons, or as a way to introduce new color trends.

TIP: As a safety measure and to preserve your area rug, always use a liner to keep your rug from slipping or creeping. The rug liner should be appropriate for your floor type, and also be the right size to fully keep the rug from sliding.

Be sure to contact Carole Lee Interiors and Complete General Contracting Service for all of your home design needs.

Excerpts taken from The Spruce.com https://www.thespruce.com/tips-for-decorating-with-rugs-1391114

Earthy Colors In Interior Design

One of the most popular home design trends this year is the use of earth tone colors, as reported in Décor Magazine. In previous years, gray tones were often all the rage in interior design. This year, grey is still dominant but it’s often combined with softer pastels and earthy tones.

Earth tones describe a color palette inspired by the colors we find in nature.  Warm browns, camel, greens, sienna, and umber, soft grays and tans all blend together to form a harmonious and welcoming interior in your home or office.

Earth tones work well in both modern and traditional homes due to their versatility and beauty and can add a layered look by building interest through various levels of tones and elements. This color palette tends to impress and is a safe choice for those looking for a relaxing and luxurious atmosphere that is both comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

November is a great time of year to enjoy a cozy space beside a fireplace with soft lighting in a well appointed home.  Why not elevate your home interiors by calling Carole Lee today to schedule a consultation.

Making Smaller Rooms Feel Larger

People sometimes think we only work on very large houses or large rooms, but that is not always the case. We are sometimes tasked with working in smaller spaces such as compact office spaces or townhomes.   As a professional interior designer we are expert at designing three-dimensional spaces for a living and are adept at manipulating space to make smaller spaces feel larger than they really are.  How do we do it?  Here are six tips.

Light Walls

The lighter the walls, the larger the space will feel.  Light walls reflect light, which helps smaller rooms feel larger.  With the abundance of white or off white paint colors available you are sure to find one that is perfect for your project.

Six Sides Alike

Remember, each room has six sides, not four.  Don’t forget the floor and ceiling.  By having all six sides either light or dark helps to keep the room from looking chopped up. Good design will use either all light colored walls, floors and ceiling or all dark colored walls, floors and ceiling.

Mirrors

This is a fairly obvious tip since we all know that mirrors can make a room feel larger.  However you need to consider what the mirror will be reflecting.  If it is not something you want to see, then don’t use mirrors.

Simplify Your Materials and Finishes

Use a limited number of materials to make your space feel larger. The more surfaces in a room, the more the room will feel chopped up. Each time you change materials you define where one surface ends and the next begins, which can make the space feel smaller.

Scale

Remove oversized furnishings.  In small rooms, small-scale furniture will make a small room feel much larger.

Good Lighting

Good lighting has an enormous impact on the feel of your rooms.  Sadly it is often cut from the budget.  Plan to include 10% of your budget on lighting, especially in small rooms.

How Tone On Tone Can Make Your Interiors More Interesting

Tone on tone coloring or layering is a decorating technique that takes a single or a few colors and uses different saturation levels of that color or colors throughout the entire space. You begin working with one general color area and manipulate this color through the use of fabrics, tints, shades and textures to create interest and variety. The effect can be dramatically transformed by lightening or darkening of that color.

Whether you’re saturating your home with rich hues or you’re adding layers of color to a neutral backdrop, at Carole Lee Interiors we celebrate tone on tone decorating. From fresh flowers that mirror the shade of the wall to throw pillows in the same color family as a nearby rug, the repetition of hues makes a big impact in your interior. Here are some ways we use tone on tone to decorate your space:

  • Layer your wall coloring
  • Pull inspiration from art
  • Mix and match patterns
  • Bring color into doors and windows
  • Match window treatments to walls
  • Pair tone on tone colors with black and white
  • Use tone on tone flooring
  • Incorporate a range of shades of the same color
  • Layer color through tabletop décor
  • Go extra bold with one vibrant item
  • Saturate with rich hues

These are just a few methods we use when decorating interiors using a tone on tone technique. Tone on tone interiors can be tricky to pull off if you do not have a lot of expertise working with color, hues and textures. If you are not a pro it is easy to make trial and error mistakes, which can begin to add costs to your project. Instead contact Carole Lee to schedule a consultation to see if tone on tone is a good idea for your space.

Easy Outdoor Accents

When the warm weather hits we find ourselves spending more time entertaining and relaxing outdoors. One easy way to refresh your home’s exterior is to paint your front door. Don’t be afraid of paint. Painting is one of the easiest and most cost effective means to dramatically change the look of your home.

If you are not sure about your color, it is best to hire a professional color specialist or interior designer. Also, think classic and neutral. Classic color adds elegance and also can increase the value of your home for potential future buyers.

For added impact include decorative garden accents at the entrance of your home. Planters, lanterns, vases or bowls filled with flowers or plants look inviting and can improve the overall texture and appearance of your doorway and can be changed seasonally to keep a fresh look.

Fall Decor Re-Design Ideas

A seasonal transition provides a fantastic excuse for updating your home decor with new furniture, fresh hues, interesting patterns, and comfy accessories! As the weather cools off, you’ll be spending increasingly more time indoors and will want your space to be as cozy as can be!

Throws & Pillows
Dress up sofas, chairs and bedrooms with plush throw pillows of all different shapes, sizes, and patterns for a warm and inviting presence. Throw blankets add texture and a subtle homey feel.

Layer Area Rugs
Layering area rugs adds color, texture, and interest to your room and keeps you warm during the chilly months.

Fireplace Focal Point
Your fireplace will be in good use during cool evenings, so invest in a mesmerizing or personally pleasing piece of art as a focal point or beautiful pieces for your mantle.

Window Coverings
Summer months call for bamboo shades or breezy curtains but the blustery days of winter require insulation. Consider heavier draperies with colors or patterns that add vibrancy to the space.

Bedding
It’s time to dig out that heavy-duty down comforter and those thermal blankets if you want to save money on your heating bill! Investing in a new duvet is a quick, easy, and affordable way to change the look of your room.

Table Dressings
Add seasonal warmth to tables for fall appeal. Think outside the box – a vintage quilt, linen curtain panel, or other materials that can be utilized as one-of-a-kind tablecloths.

Arrangements & Wreaths

Make a beautiful fall focal point for your home using fiery red maple leaves, feathery foliage, and berries.

Outdoor Fireplace
Add an all-season outdoor living area complete with fireplace or fire pit. Include plenty of plush seating and a mantel for decorating.

Fall Furniture
Swap out a chair or re-upholster furniture for a fresh face with trendy patterns. This season, metallic leather treatment is a new trend in classic shapes and styles, as well as pleats in upholstery that lend a tailored, detailed look.

Light It Up
An easy way to change the ambiance of a room from light and airy to warm and cozy is by swapping out lighting. Select new table or floor lamps, add sconces, chandeliers, track lighting, and so on.

Statement Pieces
Unique and interesting furniture makes a bold statement about your individual style, tastes, and personality. We’re seeing dining rooms as a forum for large statement tables this season.

Carole Lee Interiors can design a new look for your home this season and custom order the furniture for a complete turnkey design experience. Order your custom furnishings now in time for the holiday!

Ideas For Porch & Patio

It’s the time of year to rethink how your outdoor area looks, feels, and functions. It’s easy to give an exterior space a major makeover just by adding a few creative changes. Here are some ideas that will make refreshing your outdoors as clear as the blue skies overhead.

Run For Cover!
No shade overhead? Choose a stylish umbrella that makes a big statement or make your own escape from the rays with a fabric canopy

Hues That Hollar
Colorful accents make a bold statement. Go for loud colors and modern prints with stripes or vibrant floral patterns. Achieve an inexpensive makeover just by reconsidering your cushions and throw pillows!

Rearrange
Outdoors is a room without walls, so you’ll need to create intimacy for gathering by strategically arranging tables, sofas, umbrellas, fire pits, and so on. We suggest creating a lounging area and a separate dining area.

Get Vertical!
If you’ve got fences or your patio juts up against the walls of your home, make use of their space! Hang planters, shelves, grilling tools, art, mirrors, a clock, and so on!

Lounge In LuxuryDay beds are becoming more popular and stylish for outdoors. Who wouldn’t what to spend an afternoon reading there

Easy Breezy
Ceiling Fans are a great way to add high style while providing a functional purpos

Beyond The Soil

No actual yard? No problem! Potted plants, hanging baskets, and window planters can provide all the greenery you need to make a luscious space, or add interest to patio decor.

Neat Seats

 Functional benches can double for outdoor storage, which is especially handy in small spaces.

Grow Up!

 A vine-laden trellis softens an otherwise uninteresting wall, creating a rich, warm environment. Get creative with the designs for added interest.

Mix and Match For an informal approach, mix up the chairs – choose different colors or an assortment of styles.

A Swinging Good Time Is there anything more relaxing than the slow, rhythmic swinging motion of a hammock, hanging chair, or swinging bench? This is summer at it’s best!

Light It Up

Cast a soft glow over your outdoor space with a string of lights, lanterns, or a candlelit chandelier that can be raised and lowered by a rope pulley rigged to a tree. (Restoration Hardware)

Bar Space
Design your outdoor world with a bar, a counter, some stools – create an easy way to pass food into the great outdoors through a window in your kitchen.

Bring It All Together With Fabric
The outdoors can truly begin to feel like a completed room with the use of fabric curtains to divide space and rugs to bring it all together in a homey way. Be sure your fabric is mold and water resistant.

Reframe Your World
Pergulas, arches, fencing, and overhead canopies can add extra seclusion, especially if you’re in a small or urban space.

A Painted World
Art can belong in the great outdoors. It certainly helps urban patios, decks, and balconies, and it can always try to compete with the beauty of creation!

Adding Designer Touches
Details really create the finishing touches on a room. Whether it’s lighting, mirrors, vases, candles, wall art, throw blankets or pillows, you’ll use the same rules of thumb decorating the exterior as the interior.

Tight budget?
Work with what you already own or shop thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales for one-of-a-kind finds like quirky bird cages or antiques that can be refurbished for another use.