What’s your favorite color? We are asked this as small children – and even small children have definitive answers to this question. As we mature, we learn which colors affect our moods, which colors we enjoy being around and which colors we like to wear. Color  . . . it really shows our individuality. What is appealing to one person can be distasteful to another. I guess it’s one of those things that makes the world go ’round!

I recently participated in a Twitter chat called #IntDesignerChat (Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. EST). The topic this week was all about color. The participants had great ideas about how color influences the overall perception of a space. Here are some of the comments:

@todaysnest: Color is everything. It is the design glue that holds all of the other pieces together.

@FirmAbility: In some cases color is more important than the space itself, the power to transform.

@PJohnsonInt: Color sets the mood and creates the environment for the design.

@PlacesInTheHome: Color influences the visual satisfaction but completes the vision.

@mcalpinetank: The perfect color can absolutely make a room sing. Conversely, a bad color can wreck it.

@EdytaAndCo: Color has a massive impact on the mood and feeling of a space.

@sdevon: Color has emotional and physiological impact. People react on an often subconscious, very personal level.

@DesignWiseCO: Color is a powerful element in any space –  it provides mood, personality and helps to tie in all other design elements.

As an interior designer, I have very strong feelings about color. And I’m not talking about any colors in particular, only that I know that color is such a personal expression of individuality. When I work with my clients on their projects, any bias that I have about any particular colors is a non issue. My goal, always, is to ascertain which colors my clients like to live with and work to utilize that color scheme in their home. To further explain my theory of color selection, here are some of my tweets about color that I shared on the above referenced Twitter chat:

Color selection can make or break a space. It sets the overall tone and environment.

 

Color is by far the most personal aspect of interior design.

 

Live with the color(s) you love, NOT what is trendy.

 

I ask clients: What color makes you feel happy?

 

I present colors to clients based on what they love and want to live with.

 

Sometimes it is one item or color that the client loves that sets the entire design scheme of a space.

 

There is no right or wrong when it comes to color in a design scheme. Does the client love the color(s) and does the design scheme meet the goals of the project?

 

Color is so personal. Your home should reflect the YOUR personality (and not your designer’s).

 

All photos from the portfolio of Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

What is your favorite color? Leave me a comment and let me know! (Mine is chartreuse – click here to read about my favorite!)

If you want to make a room comfortable, you need to start with the basics. I take great pains to make sure that every single piece of upholstered furniture is exceptionally comfortable. Since comfort is such a personal thing, I insist that my clients try out every sofa and lounge chair before making them a part of the design scheme.

Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

Add a soft throw and pillows to sofas and armchairs. While I don’t believe in overdoing the amount of pillows, I do make sure that there are ample ones handy that will support your back or can be tucked under your arm when you’re reading a book. A good quality down pillow will keep its shape but will be soft enough to mold to the person using it.

Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

If you want your home to be truly cozy, anticipate the needs of your family and guests. Where will they want to place down a drink or rest their feet while watching television? Are blankets close at hand in the guest room? Is there a bright reading lamp next to a comfortable lounge chair? Taking special care to consider the comfort of your family and your guests will make a home welcoming, warm and luxurious.

Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

Finally, don’t forget the small touches – fresh flowers, a deliciously scented candle, a good reading lamp, among other amenities. These kind of details will make your home feel personal, cozy and comfortable.

Are you a fan of my Facebook page? If not, please “like” the page and join my great group of fans—I’d love to have your input, too!

Here are five basic concepts that I’ve learned over the years:

1) There is no “right” and “wrong” when it comes to decorating a home. There is no one way to do things or one way to live. Be comfortable – both physically and psychologically – in your space.

2) Less is more. Just like accessories that you wear, you can overdecorate a space. There is a fine line between chic and cluttered, attractive and overwhelming.

3) Trends are fun to read about, but don’t make decorating decisions based on what’s trendy at the time. Use what you love and use what you love to live with.

4) The most attractive homes are brought down by an abundance of clutter. Figure out some good and easy solutions to harnessing all of your papers and “stuff”. Your environment will look better and you will feel better!

5) Your home is not a museum or a set. It should be beautiful, functional AND comfortable.

Do you  have any basic concepts that you’d like to add to this list? Please leave a comment!

Necker Island is a private British Virgin Island located near Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The island is owned by Sir Richard Branson and has been in the news recently since a fire burnt down the Branson’s main house this past August. News of Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet carrying Branson’s mother out of the fire quickly hit the media. Fortunately, the island is now back up and running and accepting guests.

The island looks like a true paradise, housing a handful of villas so a very private, full-service experience is assured. Unplugging and recharging are the order of the day on Necker Island. Certainly, relaxing by the pool or on the white sand beach is a favorite pastime, but there are plenty of traditional active resort activities as well. A quick call to your concierge will have you on a sailboat, kayak or motorboat in no time. However, in typical Richard Branson fashion, Necker Island boasts an interesting adventure activity—The Necker Nymph. The Nymph is actually a mini submarine unique to Virgin Limited Resorts. The Nymph carries three passengers underwater for a one-of-a-kind experience. Just imagine exploring the ocean in your own private mini submarine…

A winter trip here would really be a dream come true!

This large coffee table I created for a family that lives in suburban Boston is an example of a great custom piece. The clients wanted a room that was family-friendly but didn’t sacrifice style and function. I couldn’t find a table that met their storage needs and  had the look we wanted, so I designed one myself!

Prior to having the custom table fabricated, I worked on a number of designs.  Here’s one of the later versions of the design; it was ultimately decided to use touch latch mechanisms as opposed to drawer hardware.

The custom table is made using a reconstituted zebra wood veneer. I designed the piece so that the drawers with alternating wood grain really show off the incredible beauty of the wood material. An abundance of drawers provide storage for every clicker, ipod, and magazine, and all the clutter associated with a busy family stays out of sight.

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Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc. - Photography by Michael J. Lee Photography

What do you think of the piece?

I love to design custom furniture! Give me a call at Leslie Fine Interiors (617-236-2286) to discuss your home project!

To see the photos and the before and after floor plans of the award-winning bathroom, please go to my previous blog post: Spa Bathroom – Extreme Makeover.  The bathroom was also published in New England Home Magazine – click here to view (Photos by Michael J. Lee Photography).

I’d love your feedback on the bathroom – what do you think of the center vanity? The two-sided, ceiling hung mirror? The mosaic tile?

For you cat lovers:

Charlotte Olympia Kitty Embroidered Velvet Flats, net-a-porter.com

Check out the dalmatian and the horse sweaters!

Foxes, panthers, dalmatians, orangutan arms, wild cats and horses from wsj.com

Here are some fun ways to bring the domestic animal decor into our homes:

Barking Mad Wallpaper from Anthropologie

Keep shelves from looking like a pigsty with Design Legacy’s cast-iron duo:

Photo courtesy of Country Living

What do you think of this lamp?

Photo courtesy of Squidoo

One of my favorite getaways, Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont, has a cottage decorated in a dog theme:

The Log Cabin, Twin Farms, Vermont

Do you have any “not so wild” decor in your home? Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear about it!

• Heated floors – There’s nothing like waking up on a cold morning and stepping into your bathroom onto warm tiles.  Electric mats are easy to install when putting in new floor tile and can be put on a timer to turn on and off just when you need it.
• Towel warmer – How wonderful would it be to get out of your shower or bathtub and wrap yourself in a warm towel? What a treat!
• Magnified, lighted makeup/shaving mirror – Now that I have one in my own bathroom, I just couldn’t live without it! My clients love these in their bathrooms. And not only women . . . men love them as well as they are great to use for daily shaving.
• Body sprays and rainhead - Turn your shower into a spa shower and let the water flow! But, make sure that your home has adequate water pressure, or you will be disappointed with the results.
• Steam shower – When you go to a spa, nothing beats heading into the steam room after a long day. So, why can’t you have this in your home? Your shower can double as a steam room, and make sure that you have a nice bench in your shower so that you can sit and relax!

Here are some wonderful bathrooms that I’ve recently designed.  All have several (or all) of the amenities listed above.

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Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

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Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

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Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

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Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

At Leslie Fine Interiors, we love to design fabulous bathrooms!  Contact us at 617-236-2286 to discuss your visions for a wonderful spa-like retreat!

When you think of plaid, the image that first comes to mind may be this …

Kravet

Or this …

Sean Connery

However, plaid in small doses can be quite chic.

Photo credit House Beautiful

Flor

Canadian House & Home

Elle Decor

Photo via Brinton Plaid and Carpet

Here are some great products featuring plaid that have recently come across my desk.

These plaid fabrics  from Duralee have a crisp contemporary feel.

Duralee Fabric

Duralee Fabric

The plaid design is even used in tile patterns. Here’s Bisazza’s take on a classic tartan.

Bisazza Tile

This outdoor bench designed by Raw Edges is bold and graphic.

Plaid Bench by Raw Edges

Are you mad for plaid? Let me know your thoughts on this classic pattern!

The requirements: two large desk areas, file drawer space, excellent lighting, maximum storage for books, papers, etc., as well as storage for the whole house media system.

Here’s how I configured the space (click on the image to enlarge it):

Below are two elevations: one elevation shows one of the desk areas (the other side of the room is a mirror image) and the other elevation shows the closed storage unit that houses the whole house media system and other items (click on the images to enlarge them).

Here are the photos of the finished space – a mahogany home office that is comfortable and functional!

Success! A wonderful, carefully planned two person office space that works beautifully.  Both occupants have their own large desk areas which are lit by fabulous undercabinet LED lighting, and there is a tremendous amount of storage for media, books, papers and whatever else needs to be put away!

If you want to use the space in your home to its fullest, we can design almost anything!  Call Leslie Fine Interiors at 617-236-2286 to explore your options!