It’s time to take down your old, tattered window treatments, but you’re not quite sure what to replace them with. Just don’t be in a hurry to hang up any reasonable substitute. Ask top interior designers in Seattle, New York, Chicago, or LA - they’d all tell you the same thing: how you dress your windows can have a dramatic effect on how your room looks and feels. While you peruse and consider your choices, from sheer window treatments to bamboo blinds, keep these top insider tips in mind:

1. Decisions, decisions…
Window treatments aren’t just additional decor, they are functional too. When choosing yours, ask yourself these important questions: Are they needed for privacy? Do I want them to help keep in heat, prevent drafts, or allow the room to stay cool? How much light should they let in or block? If your window treatments are for a bedroom, you might choose a heavy material which won’t allow a single ray to spoil your sleep. Alternatively, you might like sheer fabrics for those rooms where you want to let in as much light as possible, for example, a kitchen area or attic window. Blinds are great for windows where you need a variety of functions: pull them up for an unobstructed window, open them for a partial view, or close them fully to keep outside eyes away.

2. Exaggerate it!
If you want to draw attention to your windows, order more fabric and hang your window treatment pole 6-12 in. above their frames. This makes your windows look much larger than they really are. Allow your drapes to hang to the floor past the bottom of the window frames to add even more height to the illusion!

3. Bring in the sunshine
If you’d like your windows to let in as much light as possible during the day, opt for window treatments and add 12-18 in. more length on each end of your rod. This means you can pull the window treatments aside without obstructing any part of the pane. It also helps narrow windows appear wider.

4. To line or not to line?
As well as the design, you’ll need to decide if your window treatments should have a lining or not. A lining protects the window treatment from dirt on the window and sunlight which may fade the fabric. It helps keep more light out and can actually provide extra insulation - which might in turn reduce your electric bills! On the other hand, unlined window treatments are easier to clean, lighter to handle, and better for rooms you wish to keep cool. They are practical in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom where added steam and moisture necessitates regular cleaning.

5. Mix and match
Scared your sheer window treatment will turn transparent when houselights are on? Just add a heavier drape to draw at night. Feel like your blinds aren’t interesting or warm enough? Why not add a window treatment pelmet to your window frame? If you can’t decide on one good option, you can always combine!

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How many times have you gotten ready to leave for work, looking amazing in your new outfit and not been able to find the mate to the perfect pair of pumps that complete the look?  Have your ever searched high and low for a scarf that you know has just the right color for the suit you plan to wear for your presentation?  Maybe it’s time to reorganize your closet.  An orderly, well designed closet will save time, space and frustration.  Any interior designer in Seattle will agree this is also the best way to organize your clothes, shoes, and belongings enabling you to find them easily. When planning to redesign your closet, think about the way you get ready to go out.  Do you wear suits or separates; dresses, pants or skirts?  Do you own a small fortune in shoes or a fabulous few that go with everything?  Make a list of items you need to access on a daily basis.  Use this list to start the design process.

In order for everything to be in place, it is convenient to divide the closet into several sections so that you can combine different types of storage such as shelves and drawers.  Bars hung at different heights will easily accommodate the clothes according to their length.  When using plastic storage bins, try to find the clear ones or clearly label the opaque ones so you know what’s inside with out having to open them.

Tips on storing clothes: One practical thing to do is group clothes according to frequency of use. The central part will be reserved for everyday use, while the higher shelves will be used for out-of-season clothing. To avoid undesired creases on shirts, hang them leaving a space of a bit less than an inch between them. When it comes to sweaters, it’s better to fold them because when hanged they tend to get stretch out of shape.  Another way to organize garments is by color.  That way if you’re looking for that fiery red silk blouse to go with your incredible black skirt, you can easily find it in the red section of your clothing.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are frequently small places, so it’s better not to fill them up with large furniture or objects. Use shelves to find things easily and keep everything tidy. Drawer organizers help keep make up and sundries from getting lost in a jumble.  You can also add small closets to keep towels and other articles. It is better to store these items in closets with doors that absorb humidity. To store medicine and cleaning products, keep in mind they need to be out of children’s reach. It is safer to keep them on high shelves or a medicine cabinet rather than under the sink.

Kitchen

Bedroom closets aren’t the only places it pays to be organized.  Imagine being able to find the garlic press or the tea strainer with out straining your patience.

Tips on storing kitchen utensils: The key point here is keeping the items you use the most close at hand. Pots, pans, and lids should be near the cooking area, while the set of dishes can be further away. It’s convenient that the pantry, where food and warehouse products are stored, is placed in a cooler darker part of the kitchen, to conserve provisions better. You can use baskets to store fruits and some vegetables adding extra visual texture to the kitchen. The standard measure for kitchen cabinets is 36 in. tall by 24 in. deep.  Drawers have to be big enough to keep frying pans, pots, and other kitchen utensils.  If you find yourself still searching for the handbag that works with your outfit, rummaging through your drawers to find your black eyeliner or hunting for the meat thermometer, it’s time to call an interior designer.  We can help design your space so you walk out the door with both black pumps.  We can also design a kitchen that has a place for all the tools you need to create a culinary masterpiece, or at least make sure the roast is the right temperature.

Tile

On a recent trip to New York for ICFF I came across this chic new ‘living’ tile. This product plays with light and shadows, diffusing them throughout the tile to give a truly unique look to a counter top, backsplash or even a floor.  There is movement in the material, a reflection of light and shade reflecting the movement and life in the space.  Think of a using it as a room divider, letting the luminosity from adjoining rooms create different experiences as you move through the space.

There are a few different tiles made with this technology; an acrylic tile made with the same acrylic polymer as aquariums and a terrazzo version which is micro concrete embedded with light channels.  These channels bend light, transferring it from one point to another achieving a twinkle effect.  Both tiles are resistant to staining and scratching.  They can be used indoors and out for a myriad of possibilities. Let us help you put this distinctive material in your next project!

Palm Wood

At Amely Wurmbrand Designs, we are always looking for new green materials. Bamboo is a great green product, but we’ve found something that will express your individuality as well as your commitment to the environment: an engineered product using reclaimed palms. Available as plywood, flooring, paneling and veneers, the dark to medium red mahogany color brings out the exotic grain that can be used in many applications.  Imagine the woven panels as an unexpected treatment for walls instantly adding interesting texture to a space. Use the flooring in a great room or a family room to add warmth and richness.  We look forward to showing you all the exciting and distinctive ways to use this product in your design.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’re just tired of seeing the same old thing every time you walk in the door, you’ve decided it’s time for a change. You want the cohesive put together look you see in all the magazines.  You want that feeling of pride in your personal space which functions as well as it looks. You’ve even saved and budgeted money for the remodeling and redesigning. Now you face the daunting task of finding the right designer to help you realize the home of your dreams. How can you choose the best designer for you and your project? What are the key components to consider when choosing one?

You might get recommendations from friends; you may do your own research or visit design professionals in your area,  but how can you be sure you’ve found the right fit? Here are some tips to consider when selecting the right design professional for you.

1. Look for a designer who speaks about working closely with you and is willing to reflect your needs, wants and personality. A well trained and experienced designer is versed in numerous styles, you want one that reflects your aesthetics and functions as a vehicle for your specific taste. Your designer should be a good listener. You should expect them to realize your vision; after all, it’s your space.
2. Source local professionals on the web; reduce your search within your area: “interior designers in Seattle”, for example (or whatever area you live in). This will save you added expense of lengthy travel time for both you and your designer.
3. Review design portfolios, take a look at the scope and breadth of previous work. Do you need help with a little decorating or do you need help with a full scale remodel? Much of this information will be available to you online, look for work that speaks to your taste, creates an emotion for you or inspires you.
4. Inquire about fee structure. Design fees can be hourly, fixed or percent of budget. Talk to your design professional about what fee structure makes the most fiscal sense given the scope of your project needs.

After taking these tips into consideration, you’re better equipped to find the right design match for you and your project.

We have an exciting announcement about a new service we have developed for those clients who just are not ready or able to work with us on a full scale design project. It is a terrific new resource for those smaller tighter budget projects:

A recently divorced woman is remodeling a 1924 home that used to be the school house in Sultan, Washington.  She has some ideas on how she wants the space to look, she has a passion for design; she has a very small budget. She has no idea where to begin.  Like many do-it-yourselfers, she is willing to put in the work and the elbow grease to get the job done; and like many she wants to do the job correctly the first time, saving money, work and time.  She thinks, “wouldn’t it be great to have a friend who is a designer?” She could call her friend to consult before she makes an expensive mistake.  What color will work best for the walls?  Should she paint the ceiling?  How does she expand the space visually?

Up until now she didn’t know where to turn. Here’s where our new can be a life saver.  This service will help with everything from a quick color consultation to a complete remodel. Call A Designer.com is a new idea in interior design.   You call and set up an appointment for a phone consultation.  The first 10 minutes are free! Once you set up an account, you can send any pictures or even video you have of the space.  The designers will help you plan your project, answer your design questions, help find resources in your area all with out the retainer fees required when hiring a traditional designer.

Call A Designer.com is the sister company of a Northwest Interior Design Firm, Amely Wurmbrand Designs. When using Call A Designer, you get the same professional expert advice and guidance from an award winning design studio even with an extremely tight budget.  Call A Designer is certainly not an appropriate solution for every person, or every project.  Many people and projects still require the holistic thought and hands on approach of our full service interior design firm, Amely Wurmbrand Designs.  However, if budget is mandatory above all else, and you have the time, ability and desire to do all the leg work, Call A Designer is a solution that can help you. Now you can have a friend in the design business, CallADesigner.com.

Check out this interesting Smart Money article about the quality of mass made and marketed furniture: “Pottery Barn - UNSTUFFED”

Flea markets and vintage furnishings shops are a very good option to find that piece of furniture or design item we have been looking for so long, which was either hard to find, or simply too expensive. Flea markets are the ideal place to shop when your budget is limited. You could find some lovely treasures. Patience and cleverness are the keys to a successful transaction.

Flea markets owe their name to the fact that people usually look like fleas from a distance. Also, some believe that the name originated from the fact that the pieces of furniture bought actually came with fleas. This is not so much the case nowadays. Flea markets and vintage furnishings shops have come a long way. Now everything is much more organized and regulated, and in many flea markets you can even pay with a credit card. Also, many modern flea markets have delivery services, so the pieces of furniture you want can be delivered right to your home.

In Paris there are a well established and very famous series of such markets called Les Puces.  Here both permanent booths as well as an ever changing weekly array of sellers come together to offer things from frumpy to fabulous.  The markets are  hundreds of years old but began more officially in their current form around 1880.    Many a treasure has graced the covers of famous international magazines which began its voyage in these humble and jumbled beginnings.  The thrill is in the search and many make the pilgrimage on a weekly basis. I myself have spent many days on each of my trips to Paris combing the markets for both fun and treasures.  On one such trip, I fell deeply in love with a beautiful crystal chandelier.  Amazingly, I was told that it had just been sold…as luck would have it to a colleague of mine from right here in Seattle of all places.  Great minds think alike…even in the Puce in Paris.

The idea is to take all the time in the world, to thoroughly check the pieces of furniture you are interested in. If they are damaged, they could probably be repaired by a carpenter, and for a small fee, you get to save thousands of dollars. Also, if you’re handy repairing things, it is known to be great work therapy, to relieve stress. Wood is a very noble material to work with; if you are kind to it, it will respond beautifully.

It is crucial that the piece you acquire does not carry larvae of insects. Some insects feed on wood, and if an infestation occurs, it can very well end with your home’s foundations. The wisest thing to do is to leave the piece in quarantine, in the garage, for instance, before granting it a place inside your home.

Tables, chairs, sofas, armchairs, beds, closets, mantelpieces; you name it. Any L.A., New York, Miami, or Seattle interior designer would agree that the right item could be a stylish addition to your home; some may even give it the right touch of distinction. Patience and a keen eye can prove to be very useful when it comes to the search for the perfect design item.

One of the biggest challenges faced by interior designers in Seattle, or anywhere,  is dealing with small rooms. Knowing what to do with furniture and decorations is too much of a hassle when there isn’t enough room. If this is an issue that affects your interior design options, here is some good news: size doesn’t matter after all; creativity does. Here are four great tips that will give you the answers you need to solve your room size issues:

The Secret Behind Colors
Light, cool colors make a space feel open, airy, bigger, and brighter. Combining shades of cream and light blue is just one of the great color schemes that can open up a small room. It is all about illusion. You can paint your wall trim and moldings a lighter color than your wall which will make the wall appear further back, making the room, thus, seem bigger.

Clear up the Clutter
Too much stuff always makes a small space feel cramped. With things neatly arranged and out of sight, the space that is in view will feel orderly and open. Furniture poses yet another challenge. With furniture and accessories blocking the view into a room and out to open spaces, a room will look smaller. By moving furniture out and away from walkways, you’ll open up the space and make it feel larger, especially if you can see the floor. Setting your furniture at an angle works because the longest straight line in any given room is its diagonal. When you place your furniture at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer distance, rather than the shorter wall. You can even use the space behind the piece in the corner for additional storage.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Mirrors are one of the best tricks to make your room look larger. Use a focal point and angle your mirrors towards it, which will give the illusion of depth. Mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night. They bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger. This is especially effective near a window so the outdoors can be reflected. Mirrors on walls and glass tabletops will make it seem like there’s a more open flow.

Let There be Light!
Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Any room will look larger if it’s well-lit, either by natural light or artificial lighting. If you have access to natural light, make full use of it. Bring it into your home through windows. Pull back window coverings or use sheer ones to bring more light in. Open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space, as well. By letting the natural light flow into the room, it will open up the room and make it look larger. If you do not have a lot of natural light, you can add some lighting features to the room to make it look bigger. Don’t forget to use a bit of up lighting for dramatic effect and the creation of a false sense of space.

Scale
The size of the furnishings you place in a room also has an effect on the perception of size of the space.  You want to be sure not to use too many over scaled pieces in a small space.  Opt for more petite chairs with light visual lines and colors as opposed to heavy dark pieces that are chunky or overly large for the space.  It is the difference between the furnishings of baroque Europe and those of the directoire period: think visually light in most pieces.  You may need one or two heavier looking pieces to visually anchor the space and keep it from wanting to metaphorically float away, but in general lighter pieces will serve such a space much better.