Let’s do Rearranging! I got an email from a client in Oregon regarding her difficulty in arranging the furniture in her guest room. She sent me photos asking for help. I suggested she put the bed on a 45 degree. Everybody always thinks they will lose space and it won’t work. And what do […]
Help to clients
A client writes: Hello Ruth, I see all these wonderful pictures of interiors by designers and they all have some kind of trick or knack for draping throws. I am including some pics of a few I have around the house. As you can see I am missing whatever finesse or secret to make […]
2020 – Embrace Change With a Plan and Interior Design Tips
2020 – Time For Interior Design Changes! We have moved into 2020, let’s embrace change! Embrace change with a plan! Look at your home with fresh eyes. Develop a plan to implement change. Create a new environment for your HOME. Some guidelines to get you started. Step 1 Clean it up. Get rid of the […]
Home Mini-Business Center In Minimal Space
Home Mini-Business Center Ruth Chafin Interior Design created a small but very useful home mini-business center in minimal space. She used a corner of the living room of a recent residential project. Why a home mini-business center? It provides an expansion to a dedicated home office. And, requires very little additional space. So, place the […]
Outdoor living gaining in appeal
Outdoor living spaces, mudrooms, and home offices currently top the list of special-function rooms popular with American homeowners. This is the conclusion of the latest Home Designs Trend Survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects, which focused on emerging home features, systems, and technologies. “Heavy investment in outdoor living spaces, mudrooms, and home offices […]
Timeless design trends for 2016 to inspire your next remodeling project
Are you planning a home improvement project for 2016? Would you like some inspiration? Read on! There are a few “dos” and “don’ts” when incorporating a new design trend into your living space. Many design trends are short-lived. They’re whimsical and fun but can easily be overdone (pineapples?). I don’t discourage incorporating these motifs into your space, but would […]
Remodeling: smaller projects give the best returns on investments
Are you planning any home remodeling or improvement projects for 2016? A recent article in the Napa Valley Register cites the National Association of Realtors’ finding that, “when it comes to remodeling, smaller, replacement and enhancement projects continue to give the best returns on investments.” Considering that our economy is still on the rebound, the word […]
Friday links: 9/11 Edition
Happy Friday! Here are the articles we’ve been reading this week: Tips Do you know the difference between gloss and sheen? Sherwin-Williams has a great explainer. How to Differentiate Between Gloss and Sheen Open-plan spaces provide a great degree of freedom and interior design options. But too much freedom can be quite daunting. Apartment […]
Aging in place movement fuels trend in Universal Design
I came across an interesting article the other day that identifies top home design trends that are key to a good home. Choosing the right design elements for your home is very important for creating an interior environment that truly makes you and your family feel “at home.” And if you’re planning on selling your […]
How to get the modern millennial look
There’s an interesting article in online design and architecture magazine freshome that explores the way modern millennials (up-and-coming home buyers) are beginning to drastically shape home design trends. “Why millennials are moving home design trends” explains that millennials have a unique perspective on life and how it should be lived, and that this outlook is […]
