Du interiors Blog

My tips on how to create restful rooms  If you have been thinking of ways to transform your home into a quiet oasis, the easiest and most cost-effective way is through the use of color. I don’t think anyone would disagree that uncertainty is what we live with. That can affect our mental and physical health. What we need when we are home is a calm, cozy and intimate environment. Color can do this for you. Cooler hues of grays, blues, greens and purples create a relaxing feeling in whatever rooms you choose. These ”cooler” colors have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. These hues offer an additional benefit: they make a space appear more expansive. They are ideal for bedrooms. Here are some pictures to inspire you! Du interiors Design - SW Passive 7064 wall color ©Elle M Photography Soothing doesn’t mean boring. One of my favorite colors for bedroom walls is a dark gray-blue. It adds drama but retains a calm, cool and collected vibe. Some peop...

The March wind blows winter away And sweeps the streets from day to day March brings surprises, first the day's hot Then it starts snowing, likely as not Hurry, March wind, hurry along We'd like to hear you sing your song. --Author unknown -- Bring surprises into your home decor for this month of transition, of change, of a passage in all our lives. Fresh accessories can bring Spring into your home. Du Interiors can show you how! Any budget can work. 

For those people who like to feel current by following trends, there’s a lot going on in kitchen design to bring excitement and newness to this most productive room in your home.  As an interior designer, I am bombarded with new options for materials, finishes and other ideas this time of year. If you are ready to try something new, consider the following: Matte Black & Grey Finishes. via houzz Kitchen Sink --   What’s “in” now is concrete, stone, copper and granite composite sinks in darker hues of gray, bronze or black. (see picture above) Last year , satin brass made its debut in kitchens and that trend continues in other interior spaces. This finish looks amazing against almost any color and when mixed with other finishes creates an eclectic look. In 2018, look for matte black in baths as well. If you are looking for a statement-making look that is both contemporary and complementary with a variety of materials and styles, embrace this versatile fin...

©Jason Kaplan . Du interiors . ReDu   For those of you who like statement items in your home, oversized rugs (12x15 and larger) are your best bet. They unify a room and add to its coziness as well as being a focal point or even a conversation piece.  A room without a rug can feel unfinished. Smaller area rugs are what I call placemats for the floor, such as those just-larger-than-coffee table-size.  Are we missing out by thinking small?  Little rugs make a room feel choppy. Larger rugs unify a room and heighten the impact.  ©Elle M Photography . Du interiors . ReDu  Many of my clients choose not to hide their lovely wood floors. Large rugs let floorboards shine. They have another benefit; they protect the room from floorboard drafts during the winter. They add drama.  Area rugs anchor dead spaces like entry ways and hallways. Here’s a tip: In high traffic areas like entrance halls, rugs should be secured with nonslip ...

WE MADE IT!  YOU MADE IT! In order to celebrate the year just ending, this is my last post for 2017. I am grateful for experiencing another fruitful year engaging with my readers and sharing ways we can all make our homes the most enjoyable they can be. I thank my readers for their smart, kind advice. You give me ideas! It is time to kick back and celebrate! Happy Holidays and A HAPPY NEW YEAR! from Du Interiors.

Image by: Style at Home  By: Sara Cation  Source: Janis Nicolay;  styling by Ann Marie Favot and Stephanie Vogler Consider a modern touch this holiday  I confess to being a fan of modern design, so felt stockings, candy canes and wooden reindeer don’t do it for me for the holidays.  I want to share some ideas for contemporary homes inspired by my travels around the world via the Internet.  Black -and-White Christmas Wonderland  If you like crisp and graphic combinations, nothing beats the paring of Black and White. They play off each other in striking ways. Adding this white Christmas tree with silver accents is an innovative touch to  this  modern black & white room.  homeyohmy Here are two example of  black-and-white  vignettes .  It’s a simple alternative to  red and green. www.CB2.com www.CB2.com Birds and Feathers Add a modern twist to your Christmas de...

©Elle M Photography  Very few people have what is called, “the eye”.  They are skilled in many things, but putting a room together or doing a remodel takes a professional. It’s not just adding one piece. It’s fitting many elements together so the result is a balanced, attractive and useful. Decorating is about form, color, balance, measurements and a lot of shopping for materials. Wrong decisions are expensive. When you work with an interior designer you have someone who can affirm your decisions or help you with new approaches and ideas. Designers save you money. Working with an interior designer can be costly. It is also an intimate process. You are sharing your lifestyle with a stranger. You may work together for months or years. It’s important to find the right collaboration. Just because you found a magazine cover you want to duplicate doesn’t mean it is right for your home. It is important you trust and LIKE your designer. Be clear about your bud...