Meet The Expert

What’s your favorite element in your space, and why?
Howard Lorton Furniture & Design loves the idea of a “tete-a-tete” settee in the entertainment room. The tete-a-tete can be used to casually divide the space into a sitting area for watching TV and conversing, as well as a spot for playing games.

Is there a signature element you always use in your designs, and what is it in your space?
Using a neutral palette allowed them to layer in texture for dimension and comfort. They used texture on the pillow fabrics, a beautiful 100% Mohair fabric on the settee, and a decorative, textured wall treatment behind the sectional. These elements add depth and draw you into the space.

What can a homeowner incorporate to make their laundry room have the look and feel your space has?
A small and highly functional space, like a laundry room, should be fun! Go bold with your paint color and usage. Small spaces can handle the saturation well. Add wallpaper to create energy where you can. This paper is both playful and soothing, like a field of wildflowers. A big design takeaway from a space like this is to make it functional first. The built-ins are simple but functional, making the chore of laundry more pleasant. Open storage is a good way to keep the space tidier and make you less likely to stash the ironing pile away for perpetuity. Simple hanging bars on the wall mean you can handle laundry as you go.

What did you include in your space to make it not only look great, but function well?
The ceiling-hung drying rack was found a while back and is simply a fabulous concept. A well-designed space takes every surface and space available into account. Wall-mounted drying racks, or worse, free-standing racks, take up a substantial amount of room.

What did you include in your space to make it not only look great, but function well?
Something Atelier Interior Design likes to do in dining rooms is to do a mix of dining chairs with a bench for more comfortable and informal seating. This allows for squeezing extra people in and creating a more casual atmosphere.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern style into your space?
They were inspired by the wallpaper to create a Mediterranean Modern space. The color palette of the wallpaper brings a warm-vibrancy to the space, while the pattern is a traditionally Spanish style that brings that Mediterranean flare. To finish off the space they brought in warm woods and natural textures with the furnishings and fabrics.

What’s your favorite element in your space, and why?
Collective Design’s favorite element in their space would be the sofas. They have clean, refined lines and exude comfort with the single cushion seat and softly curved fronts. They ground the space and provide maximum functionality.

Is there a signature element you always use in your designs, and what is it in your space?
For a pop of color and organic flair, Collective Design always like to include a small agate accent table. The natural tones and freeform design of the agate bring a comfortable warmth and subtle nod to the mountains to the space, speaking back to their Summit County roots.

Is there a signature element you always use in your designs, and what is it in your space?
Even a gym can feel warm, inviting, and sophisticated! Julia Wilkins Interiors accomplishes this feeling in all of their designs by layering color tones, textures, and patterns. The star of the show in this luxe home gym is the paint color, Redend Point SW 9081by Sherwin Williams. This color can be used in many different applications to add a layer of “warm earthiness”.

What did you include in your space to make it not only look great, but function well?
Lighting is always a key element in a home and Julia Wilkins Interiors likes to begin the planning from the beginning. Layering lighting allows the flexibility for the space to be bright and energetic, as well as tranquil and softly lit. It allows the space to function both as a workout space, and a yoga or mediation room.

What’s your favorite element in the space and why?
Kayti Fan Design’s favorite element in the space is the Miro bed by Design Within Reach. They love the simplicity of the design, as well as the soft leather headboard and slightly oversized bed base that doubles as a platform for seating. So functional and pleasant to look at.

What can a homeowner incorporate to make their bedroom have a look and feel your space has?
They love how wallpaper can not only add color, but texture and visual interest. Too often, people consider the guest bedroom as an afterthought and so it regularly becomes a place where people put all of their cast-off pieces that don’t work anywhere else. But they think it’s important to incorporate thoughtful design in the guest room just as you would any other room. Wallpaper, even if just on an accent wall, can be a simple way to add interest to a guest bedroom. It has a high impact but doesn’t have to break the bank.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern style in to your space?
To create a Mediterranean style, MD Design played with organic textures and a subdued natural color palette that spoke to the Mediterranean coastline. They pulled variations of cream in paint and tile to soften the space. They chose aged brass for our metal finishes throughout the spaces we designed. When paired with white oak and shades of cream, the brass accents really shine. The main focal point in the kitchen is the arched custom range hood that they paired with a bold black marble backsplash. This design is a nod to the Mediterranean style one might find in Santa Barbara.

Is there a signature element you always use in your designs, and what is it in your space?
MD Design loves to play with mixing wood and painted cabinetry in most of its projects. They wanted to keep everything pretty neutral for the showhouse, so they opted for a white oak finish and off-white cabinetry in the kitchen, butler’s pantry, and mudroom. They added some custom details on the island to create another level of interest and texture. They found that bringing natural wood tones to the space helps achieve a relaxed style that MD Design is known for. Adding another layer of color helps anchor the space.

What’s your favorite element in your space, and why?
Christy Sport’s favorite element is the bistro set. It reminded them of something that you might happen upon in a French garden or tucked away in an olive grove. Simple yet sculpted, it evokes that Mediterranean lifestyle of uncomplicated and sophisticated.

What did you include in your space to make it not only look great, but function well?
The multi-colored trio of pedestal tables at the center of this design are not only beautiful pieces, but function for all different occasions. They are sculpted and interesting, making it feel as if you have unique piece to ground the seating area. Bringing together three tables of different sizes and heights gives it more interest. Then, when you are having a party or small gathering, you can move them for what is needed and best for the flow of the space at the time.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern style in to your space?
Beautiful Habitat started with a traditional Mediterranean material in terracotta tiles, but reimagined them in a modern way with a large-scale herringbone pattern. Next, they took inspiration from the arched doorways that are so prevalent in Mediterranean architecture. They also reimagined that shape in a modern way by repeating the element literally in wall art and figuratively in the wallpaper.

What can a homeowner incorporate to make their (kitchen, living room, foyer, mudroom, powder bath, etc) have the look and feel your space has?
Add a WOW element to make people curious and draw them into a side room. Here they do that with wallpaper, which peeks through from the back wall when the door is open. It sparks curiosity and invites people to come in for a closer look.

What is your favorite element in your space, and why?
Studio Shelter’s favorite element in the primary bath is the ombre shower tile from Bedrosians. It’s nestled behind the vanity walls, so it is like a piece of art framed by the arched shower entrance. It’s sort of like a little surprise that works with the softness and warmth of the space without overpowering it.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern Style into your space?
They incorporated the Mediterranean Modern style by allowing themes of softness, warmth, and organic shapes drive their design. A mix of soft earth tones are grounded with neutrals. Soft material elements of rattan, linen, alabaster, and woven rope underscore the Mediterranean theme and add textural interest. Additionally, repeated organic shapes and rounded edges were used to make the spaces feel welcoming and cohesive. Semi-circles are prominent on the sideboard as well as in the wall mural that play into the arch shapes seen throughout the home.

What’s your favorite element and why?
TruDesign’s favorite element is the wallpaper ceiling. The ceiling is often left untouched rather than exploring the creative possibilities that a large, clear surface has. Just like any wall, it’s another blank slate that has the potential to bring some serious design, style, and impact to a space. A much richer visual experience is created by adding wallpaper that resembles Spanish tiles to the ceiling.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern style into your space?
Mediterranean Modern style is characterized by layers of texture – the wallpaper ceiling, rich wall color, and luxurious drapes all tie together to create a color palette that embodies the warm spirit of the Mediterranean. To balance this out with a modern flare, modern lines were brought in from the desk and accent chair, which added architectural interest with the storage cabinet, and wrapped it up with a touch of whimsy that can be found in the desk chair and artwork. TruDesign is truly inspired by the level of bold design that this style allows.

What’s your favorite element in your space, and why?
Studio LW’s favorite element in the space is the wallpaper. The contrast of the black and white pattern draws your eye to the designed wall, and pops against the room’s subtle colors. It brings a fresh and youthful element to the room.

What can a homeowner incorporate to make their (kitchen, living room, foyer, mudroom, powder bath, etc) have the look and feel your space has?
It is important to install “fixed” items such as wallcoverings and window treatments to achieve a higher level of creativity and visual appeal. These items make a permanent statement to the design of the home. The furniture can be swapped out for different pieces, but the fixed design features are what will define the style of the room.

What can a homeowner incorporate to make their (kitchen, living room, foyer, mudroom, powder bath, etc.) have the look and feel your space has?
To incorporate the feel into your space, look and see what natural elements are in the surrounding environment. For example, Colorado has many beautiful trees and mountains, so although there is a Mediterranean scheme to the home’s architecture, they wanted to pay homage to the actual area by including the mountains in the headboard with warm tones known to Mediterranean décor.

How did you incorporate the builder’s Mediterranean Modern style into your space?
Is there a signature element you always use in your designs, and what is it in your space?
A signature element for sTABle is to layer in lots of textures, patterns, and to have fun with color. With that being said, it’s important to make sure that design decisions are made for and with the client, as the space is always ultimately created for their specific desires and functionality requirements.