Texture

A kitchen, by its nature, is full of hard surfaces. Varying those surfaces and adding a bit of soft texture makes the kitchen much more inviting. Mixing the materials used for the hard surfaces added to the textures of the kitchen. The wood cabinets on the perimeter of the room have a granite counter. The island has a counter made of wood. The tiles in the back splash area add another type of texture. The hood over the cook top was painted to create a layered look. The fabric and style of the window treatments bring a soft texture to the design of the kitchen.

Texture

The mix of textures works with the mix of colors in the overall design scheme of the room.

Texture

This living room was designed to have a fresh, modern style. Texture helps to create the look.

The clean lined sofa and chair are covered in smooth linen. The contemporary end table has a glossy crushed shell finish. To keep the room from being too sleek and cold the floor is covered in a plush carpet. The window treatments are made from a soft silken velvet. These layers of texture balance and enhance the design of the room.

Color

Color adds character to our lives and our surroundings. It is life enhancing and stimulating. Having the confidence to use color can give your home the style and personality you have always wanted.

Color

This family room is definitely colorful. The correct balance of neutrals and intense color create a room that is both comfortable and exciting. The neutrals have a calming effect. The intense, playful colors inject life and boldness. The neutral background keeps the color from being too strong. I started with a neutral box. The walls were painted a creamy tan. The floor is a blue/ gray laminate from Pergo. The comfortable sofa is tan with a blue contrast welt. The blue of the welt is used as a border color in the custom designed area rug. The rug also has a tan background. The deep pink of the flowers in the rug is used again in the damask pattern on the linen fabric of the window treatments.Other colors splashed around the room are green, found in the cut velvet fabric on the chair and the sleek, modern coffee table and yellow, used on the chair side chest and accessories in the room. There are also splashes of fuchsia, deep blue, grape and brown.

I designed this family room for the 2007 Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital/ASID Showhouse.The photography is by Alise O'Brien

Color

This bedroom has charming details created by the architecture. The room design includes various wall angles which make for an interesting floor plan. There is a small alcove with a window as well as the perfect place for the bed between two windows. A colorful toile fabric was the inspiration for the palette used in the room. The toile is used for the bed shams and the throw pillows in the room. There are also portions of the toile decoupaged on the bed's headboard and footboard. The colors used are deep red, blue/gray,cream, white and bits of spring green.

I used the colors carefully. Although I was using a lot of color I wanted the room to have a calm, restful, feeling. To quiet the overall color scheme I kept the contrast level low. I used the same blue/gray for the walls and the bed covering. The deep red of the headboard isn't overwhelming against the blue/gray wall. The clear white of the ceiling, trim and window treatments add a brightness to the color palette. The room is a peaceful, romantic haven.

I designed this room for the 2002 St Louis Symphony Showhouse. It was photographed by Alise O'Brien.

Color

This is a display I did for a vintage shop, Francesca's In The City. The strong blue color of the buffet is the focal point of the arrangement. For balance I surrounded it with other items having strong color. The art on the wall and the accessories on the buffet all have intense color. They don't compete with the the blue buffet, they add to the strength and color of the display creating a striking look for the shop.