Holiday Shopping Inspiration

10 Gift Ideas From Our Showroom

It’s that time of year again.

Our showroom is filled with items that would make perfect gifts. We’ve rounded up a collection of our favorites. This year, skip the boring gift cards and give your family and friends a unique piece from one of our luxury lines. They’ll be impressed with the extra thought you put into giving them such a personal gift.

Here are some ideas to get you brainstorming.

Windwood Farm Goat Milk Soap

Handcrafted soaps from a local business make the perfect stocking stuffers. Load up on all the different scents and colors.

Mina Victory Plush Collection

Don’t forget the littles. These ultra fluffy stuffed animals will be their new favorite toys. Give them their favorite animal to play with and cuddle.

Silver Ribbon Dance II Sculpture by John-Richard

Artistic sculptures like this one would make a great gift for someone who is on the hunt for the perfect home accent. Make sure you know their taste before picking one out.

La Sieste Tranquillité Eye Pillow by Branché

A silk eye mask is the perfect gift for those who are looking to get their beauty sleep over the holidays.

Jean Baptiste Hand Soap by Niven Morgan + Ceramic Bathroom Accessories

For the host or hostess on your list, help them keep their guest bathroom in tip-top shape with luxurious hand soap and stylish bathroom accessories.

Offering Bowls by Uttermost

These matte black bowls would make a trendy table centerpiece. They fit a glam style, so pick one up for the fashionista with décor to match on your list.

Paloma Pillow by Global Views

This eye-catching pillow would be a great gift for someone on your list looking for a statement piece. It fits a variety of tastes, from contemporary to artsy.

Le Blanc Linen Wash

Keep those linens in shape with this wash specifically made for linens. Anyone on your list could use this. Why not give the gift of clean and fresh bedding?

Charmeuse Silk Pillow Case by Branché

This could be paired with the eye masks above, or stand alone. The luxurious silk pillowcase even promotes skin and hair health.

Patina Bowl Onyx

Another idea for those looking for accents, this bowl would match a variety of styles.

Now that you’re inspired, it’s time to grab your list and get shopping! You’ll have those gifts under the tree in no time.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Photos: Michaela Satterfield

Interior Design Software

Popular Programs Interior Designers Use

Photo: Hand sketches, from https://www.needpix.com/photo/856996/technical-drawing-architecture-project-rules-autocad-scale-work-interior-design

We are in a new era of interior design.

Gone are the days of painstaking, hand-drafted floor plans. Computer software allows for easy, painless drafting and visualization. Plans can be made infinitely more quickly. Innovations in design software have created a whole new world for interior designers and architects, expediting the entire design process.

Curious about what design software is out there? Read on to learn about four popular programs.

Photo: AutoCAD renderings, from https://www.pexels.com/photo/architect-architecture-blueprint-build-271667/

AutoCAD

AutoCAD was first released by Autodesk in 1989. CAD stands for computer-aided design. Interior designers depend on this tried and true software. This is often the first software designers learn, and it takes some effort to learn all the commands and the way the software works. Once a designer has it down, though, it makes drafting a breeze. Users can create 2D floor plans or 3D models of furniture, among other things. AutoCAD is a flexible tool that allows users to play and see many design possibilities.

Learn more: https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/overview

Revit

Revit is similar to AutoCAD in some ways, but there are key differences. This is the software architects and engineers frequently turn to. While AutoCAD specializes in 2D renderings, Revit is more suited for 3D renderings. AutoCAD is a drafting tool, and Revit is a modeling tool. Revit takes the drafts a step further and identifies the physical properties of the building components displayed on a rendering. Modifying drawings is easier, as Revit will automatically apply all changes to every view of a rendering. This must be done manually with AutoCAD. Revit does not allow for as much freedom as AutoCAD, however, as drafts must follow certain rules.

Learn more: https://www.autodesk.com/products/revit/overview

Photo: 3D SketchUp rendering, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3d_google_sketchup_rendering.PNG

SketchUp

Like Revit, SketchUp is also modeling software. This means 3D models are its specialty. Users can make realistic looking models. While AutoCAD and Revit must be paid for, SketchUp offers a free web-based version. Some argue that SketchUp is a little easier to use than other programs, but it really depends on what users are using it for. SketchUp is a great tool for dreaming up design possibilities and bringing them to life.

Learn more: https://www.sketchup.com/

Homestyler

The best part about Homestyler is the price—it’s free. While professionals may want to stick to the other programs, this website is especially useful for those wanting to play around with different design ideas. It may not allow for design specifics that a contractor would need, but it gets the job done for those who simply need to visualize something. Users can even decorate with real furniture products. Homestyler also has a handy mobile app.

Learn more: https://www.homestyler.com/int/home

Design software creates exciting opportunities for interior designers, architects and homeowners alike. With visualization tools like these, the sky is the limit. Use these four programs, or one of the many other options out there, to bring design ideas from your imagination to your home.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Bohemian Interior Design

How to Pull Off This Eclectic Style

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wicker-furniture/8295078800

There are few design styles as exotic and rich as the Bohemian style, bringing a taste of distant lands home. Inspired by an old-world feel, this style is known for being eclectic. Bohemian homes are a patchwork collection of different objects, colors and patterns that work together to tell a story of a different time period in a different place.

According to an article on Decor Aid, “The word ‘bohemian’ refers to someone who is socially unconventional and often involved in the arts.” The article describes the style as “full of visual interest,” saying it has a “relaxed spirit.”

Pulling this off sounds like a tall order.

Let’s break it down into some simple design elements:

Pattern

Bohemian interiors carry with them a whisper of the oriental. Add some intricate pattern to capture this style, reminiscent of Persian rugs. Patterns could be used on an area rug, or even wallpaper on an accent wall.

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carpetbeggers/9521482628

Accessories

The Bohemian style has no room for minimalism. It’s all about displaying the objects you own to tell a story. Don’t overdo it, though. Each piece on display should have a purpose other than just taking up space.

Texture

The Bohemian style is all about eclecticism — style that comes from a variety of sources. The variety of textures that work in a Bohemian space is limitless. Rustic wood, fur, leather and metallic pieces are all good choices.

Photo: The gold metallic accents in this vignette would work well in a Bohemian interior. Photo by Michaela Satterfield.

Color

Vibrant colors are one of the trademarks of this style. Be sure to incorporate colors like peacock blue, burnt orange, topaz yellow and deep magenta. Use neutrals as a backdrop to make the colors pop. White is a great choice.

Capture the eclectic Bohemian interior design style in your home with these simple tips.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://www.decoraid.com/blog/interior-design-style/bohemian-style-interior-design

How to Decipher Interior Design Lingo

10 Terms to Know

Photo: Michaela Satterfield

Businessmen have their due diligence and soldiers have their 15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior.

Like most fields, interior designers have their own jargon — terms that may not be commonly known. Knowing these phrases can make the difference between an expert and an amateur.

When communicating with designers, it can be helpful to know what those terms are. This saves valuable time in the design process and aids designers in bringing your ideas to life.

Interior design jargon to keep you in the know:

Universal design

Design that caters to every individual, regardless of age or ability.

Vendors

The companies that supply the furniture and other items available for purchase.

Market

An annual or semiannual event that hosts various vendors. Some are open to the public, but many are only open “to the trade”, meaning only licensed interior designers can attend them. At markets, designers purchase furniture for their showrooms and clients.

COM

Customer’s own material. A piece of furniture can essentially be ordered from a vendor in any fabric, even if the vendor does not carry it. When a customer supplies the fabric, it is referred to as COM.

Case goods

Non-upholstered furniture that can typically store items, like bookcases or desks. It can also refer to tables and chairs.

Luminaire

A light fixture. In the design world, lamp is a technical term for light bulb. What is commonly referred to as a lamp is referred to as a luminaire by interior designers.

Sofa

What may be commonly referred to as a couch is always referred to as a sofa in the interior design world.

Accessories

Also called accents. This includes sculptures, plants, throw blankets and other extra décor used to tie things together.

Commercial design

Design of businesses, schools, offices and other commercial buildings.

Residential design

Design of residential houses.

Now that you know the lingo, communicating with your interior designer will be a breeze.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Decision Making Tips

Why Design Decisions Can Be So Difficult and What to Do About It

Photo: Michaela Satterfield

Do you have trouble making decisions for your home? It can be difficult to choose a color swatch, a fabric or a sofa. If you’re like me, I tend to agonize over decisions—even the little ones.

I mean, when it comes to picking things out for my home, I have to consider that I spend a lot of time there. What if I choose a rug that I think is hideous two days later and am forced to stare at it forevermore? That could be disastrous.

Our environments impact us more than we realize, so it’s important to take care when designing them.

As it turns out, there’s a science behind why some choices can be so difficult.

According to Siobhan Smith, author of the article “The science of decision making (and how to overcome indecision),” the average adult makes around 35,000 decision a day. With each decision, decisions get a little more difficult. This is called “decision fatigue.”

All decisions contribute to this phenomenon—whether major life decisions or trivial decisions.

Smith suggests simply going with your gut when making a decision. If nothing else, it gets you to make a move, rather than spending ages in analysis paralysis. She explains that making the wrong decision is better than doing nothing at all, because we won’t always be right all the time. Wrong decisions are necessary for growth.

However, it is wise to spend time weighing all the options, especially for big decisions. Smith says it’s okay to sit on the fence, but you shouldn’t stay there forever.

So, when you have to make those tough decisions about designing your home, the place where you will be spending much of your time, how can you get off the fence?

Interior designer Jordan Edwards offers some tips for making design decisions on her blog.

Before beginning, she suggests figuring out a few things about your space: the mood you’re going for, the purpose of the room and why you’re having trouble achieving those things with your design.

Then, when designing, make sure you only choose pieces that fit with those things. If a piece doesn’t contribute to the mood you are going for or fit the purpose of the room, then it’s not for you. If it doesn’t help you achieve what you think is missing from the space, leave it out.

Next, she says you should set a budget. She emphasizes that the budget should be realistic, so that you can actually achieve your goals.

After that, have some fun! Create a mood board or look on Pinterest for some ideas. This will also help with figuring out exactly what you are wanting from your design.

Her final tip is to only buy things you absolutely love. Don’t settle. It’s worth it to save a few extra dollars for that piece you really want. Otherwise, you might end up regretting it.

Hopefully, these tips will help you make some decisions for your home.  

If you’re still having trouble, that’s where interior designers come in. When in doubt, let your designer take care of it all for you. They’re in the business to help you figure out exactly what your space needs and make it a reality.

Choose a designer, and the rest of the decisions will take care of themselves.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer

Sources:

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/wellbeing/science-decision-making-indecision/

https://www.jordan-interiors.com/interior-design-blog/how-to-overcome-design-paralysis

Make Your Dream Home a Reality

5 Apps to Make it Happen

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/apple-applications-apps-cell-phone-607812/

When working with an interior designer to design your home, it can be difficult to communicate exactly what you want. Designers love to take what you envision and use their expertise to make it a reality. They show you how to make your ideas functional, as well as beautiful. But what if you can’t express to them exactly what you’re visualizing?

Never fear! There’s an app for that.

There are plenty of online resources right at your fingertips to help you capture your ideas and present them to your interior designer.

It just takes a quick visit to the app store.

5 apps to download right now:

1. Magicplan

Magicplan is a super easy way to create floor plans. Use it to brainstorm and plan out your dream house. You can even add furniture and make 3D models. It also features a handy material estimator to see how much it’ll all cost.

Find out more: https://www.magicplan.app/

2. Morpholio Board

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chknowblogs/34958341272

The Board app, by Morpholio, is a great way to brainstorm color schemes and ideas for a room. You can add pictures, furniture pieces and color swatches to a collage to get a good idea of the look or feel you are going for.

Find out more: http://www.morpholioapps.com/board/

3. Homestyler

Homestyler is another great app to easily design floor plans. You can make 3D visualizations to better show how you would like a room designed. This app is user-friendly and makes designing a breeze.

Find out more: https://www.homestyler.com/int/

4. Color Capture

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/art-business-color-colorful-276267/

The Color Capture app, by Benjamin Moore, is a super helpful tool. Is the color of that sweater you just found exactly the color you’ve been envisioning to paint your walls? Take a picture of it, and the app will match it with a paint color. Make the color scheme you’ve been dreaming of a design reality.

Find out more: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/color-capture/id318034543?mt=8

5. Paper

Paper, by Fifty Three, is a sketching app that makes capturing your ideas while on the go easy. Scribble a design concept, or fully illustrate an elevation. The app also has tools for making presentations. Never let another idea slip your mind—get it on paper quickly with the Paper app.

Find out more: https://www.fiftythree.com/

With these handy tools, your dream home is just a few taps away.

Michaela Satterfield

James Décor Writer