Home of the Year!

Colorado Homes and Lifestyles selected one of our client's houses as this year's Home of the Year! We thought we would take this opportunity and forum to call out certain details and crafts people that helped make this home so special. A special credit goes to Diamond Homes, one of Colorado's Premier Custom Home Builders, especially Steve Diamond and his project manager Spencer Wolfe whose amazing attention to detail and high quality work made this project sing!







The wet bar area was skillfully hand crafted by a local artisan (Sergey 720.933.9839) to house refrigerator drawers, an ice maker and an instant carbonation converter. We designed it to look like a found piece of furniture that was converted to a bar. The art is by Tony Scherman.






This bathroom was made even more beautiful with antiques by Shepton's and a rug by Shaver-Ramsey. The fireplace surround of black lip mussel tile was inlaid by the wonderful team at Diamond Homes.


One of the things that we think helps makes us one of the most creative and professional design teams in Colorado is the ability to sketch and conceptualize with the client before anything has been built. Check out this kitchen sketch that I drew very early on in the project to help the client and our team visualize what the end result might be. This is just one of many sketches that went on throughout the project to help bring about this remarkable project!

February 14th : The New-Year of Interior Design

FEBRUARY 14TH.. Chinese New Year!

If January's New Year did not inspire you, perhaps February's will! In my opinion, this upcoming celebration holds much more significance than the Western holiday of Valentines Day. The 2010 Chinese New Year symbolizes generosity and wealth earned with hard work; it is a dutiful, family oriented and dependable year. St. Valentines Day represents warmth, love and 'togetherness'.. two birds with one stone?

Lets use the January New Year as a moment to reflect upon ourselves and the Chinese New Year as a moment to reflect upon our homes and our environments! Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of harmonizing our homes, may provide the perfect link between the Western & Eastern holidays celebrated on February 14th. Here are some suggestions, following the art of Feng Shui, that will enhance the love found in any home:

..De-Clutter! Reorganize your home, your office, your life. This will allow fresh energy and opportunities to flow to you! Donate and giveaway to thrift stores, neighborhood organizations and charities. This act will clear your mind and home of clutter whilst breathing new life into old items.

..The South West corner of your home is considered the "Love Sector." If this area is messy, it may reflect on the 'Love Sector' of your life as well. If this is an unloved or under-utilized space (a closet or bare corner) you may experience an emotional void. Bring life into this corner with fresh flowers, warm sunlight, soft fabrics and a conscience effort to enjoy that space.

..Pairing items represents union and creates balance. The photo above has thoughtfully arranged furniture allowing for easy conversation amongst those you love while using symmetry for a balanced energy in the room.

..Bring Life into your home! Fresh flowers are beautiful, but living plants contribute to homes in many more ways than simply beauty. We tend and care for them as we would anyone else in our family, they return the love by offering clean air and a fresh environment; a perfect union.

On a different note, Valentines Day does not have to be red hearts and mass-produced greeting cards; I see it as the first hint of Spring! Romance can be added without overdosing on red, try spring colors such as orange, yellow, and purple. The Global Views Showroom sums this up perfectly! They play with texture, pattern, and of course color to create a refreshing alternative to a 'romantic-red' dining room.

Above is a more sensual approach. The contrast of Dark and Light furnishings create harmony while the pops of vibrant pink add a flirty tone!
We hope the Chinese New Year and St. Valentines Day encourages you to live well, be well, work well and love well. This is a time to embrace change and encourage growth; to love those you are with and be in love with what is around you!

The Modern Mauve

Mauve has come a long way. After being buried as an awkward reminder of the past, Mauve has resurfaced as a mindful accent & a comforting neutral that sets the pace for the new decade.
This is an all encompassing color trend!

We are seeing it being used in advertisements,
fashion and more and more throughout our own homes.



We will see this color embrace browns, greys, pinks and purples creating a chic bouquet perfect for large areas or as an accent. There is something glamorous yet earthy about these dusty hues. They mix the old with the new creating comfort and warmth; a major motivation & consideration when designing in 2010. Although the color has a fresh start this year, the name is still outdated. If "Mauve" is a hard term to swallow when thinking of modern design perhaps Amethyst, Dusty Berry or Rhubarb seem more appropriate. Many clients are taking a softer, more gentle approach to their color palettes. This amethyst hue carries warmth and provides the moment to showcase vibrant complimentary colors such as a lime green.

Here at O Interior Design we are celebrating a new year, new trends and a fresh outlook on the interiors to come! Here are a few of the things we love in our beloved Mauve:

We found these on Buckhouse.biz, a fabulous and eclectic website that caters to the unique! These leather and chrome chairs, designed by John Stuart lend funk and glamour to any space.

A hand-knotted, wild silk rug with a beautiful "coffee stain" abstract by Fort Street Studio. This rug melds geometric motif with an organic feel creating subtle beauty.
A bath’s best friend. Soft and plush underfoot in earth-friendly, certified organic cotton that’s grown without harmful pesticides or herbicides. West Elm pairs this Dusty Amethyst with teals and greys of the same tonal value, fresh and relaxing.
"Albany Damask" from the Cassix Exotic Flock Collection from Cole & Son takes a classic damask design and livens it up with exciting colors.

Designed by Antonio Marasco (1896-1975) this textile by Obsborne & Little is a trellis reminiscent of the braiding on military uniforms. A retro design for a reborn color!

Do not disregard this once subdued color! It provides the link between past and present, between comfort and trend. It is likely that Mauve will make its comeback and vanish just like any other retro movement, but until then we plan to fully embrace and share its great warmth!

Cheers to 2010!
Cheers to loving our surroundings!
Cheers to Mauve!