Portfolio

Color!! Don't be afraid of color! Many can be afraid to take the risk of colorful furniture pieces, but the trick is to buy affordable items, so that when you're ready to change things up, it's not so painful. Most of the time, going with color pays off, and you won't want to change it out anyway. Take the chance with color!

Clean lines. Clean lines open doors for all sorts of possibilities in design. I love to create spaces with clean lines, because I can then add a busy rug, lots of color, and delicate decorative details without the design looking too busy. I encourage at least some clean lines in every design!

Here is another wonderful example of how a space can be transformed, starting with an incredible piece of art! When you start a space with this beautiful glass piece (from WestHause Design in Amarillo), you simply cannot go wrong.

Very important to remember, when you choose a piece with multiple colors, you only want to pull two to three colors from the piece as secondary colors in the palette. You want all the additional color selections to be framework for the centerpiece. These guidelines have yet to fail me!

The extra rooms in the home still deserve some attention. A cool piece of art, a bedside table, and some nice bedding sure can go a long way!

A variety of texture adds great flare to the look! This mixture of velvet, fur, and silk enriches this space with style and warmth.

Also notice the busts on the bedside tables. Every design needs random statues, animals, and other items of interest to wake up the look!

Consider sophisticating your color palette! Multiple shades of blue in this design make this look far more interesting than just one shade of blue. This beautiful rug was the inspiration for the space, and it does not disappoint!

Size matters! When choosing furniture (or any piece of decor for that matter), analyze the space you're trying to fill. This area is a "mother-in-law's quarters," and there was no need for all the oversized chairs. The two recliners with clean lines and the loveseat fit this client's needs well, so we opted for a smaller sofa as well as smaller recliners. Never put too large furniture in a small space, and conversely, never put too small of an item in a large space.

Bold patterns...to be or not to be?? I say TO BE! Bold patterns can be risky, but they can also pay off. This space has a nice mix of bold patterns, and the key is to balance the space with solids, metallics, and pops of color. Clean lines also help, depending on the needs of the client.

High risk has real potential to have high reward! The bold colors in this design are risky, but that risk really paid off. When choosing bold options, remember to balance the rest of the space with simple and clean pieces that do not fight for attention.

The shelving units are the highlight in this design! Far too often, shelving units are loading with clutter and dust-collectors that do not highlight the beauty of the piece or the overall look. A clean and simple look with purposeful feature pieces will do the trick!

Artwork is everything!! When I design a new space, I always look for a great piece of inspiration, and then build the space around it. In this space I started with the bold and beautiful artwork, which ensured a space that is stylish from the get-go.

This guest home offers another great example of the importance of artwork. This cool and funky artwork, which inspired this design, fits beautifully into a modern-farmhouse styled space.

Purpose is incredibly important! When we started this design, this master suite had great potential, but lacked purpose. I partnered with this wonderful client to decide how we could use the open section of the room to meet her needs. We decided to create an intimate and stylish conversation space for her and her family to use for hiding away. A great way to create purpose is to center a chandelier and a rug over the unused space, and then begin adding furniture and decor. If the space doesn't call for a chandelier, start with a rug, and go from there. A rug (and/or chandelier) is a great tool to anchor the design.

Prints and patterns should mix in a way that allows them to complement one another, rather than compete against each other. Notice how these prints and patterns work as a team. My strategy in accomplishing that task is to use one very bold pattern (like the stripes in the curtains) and add smaller or lighter prints and patterns in the space (like in the rug and pillows), while making sure that everything is in the same color palette.

A room is never complete until it has been styled! Nearly all of the major furniture in this room was great for the space...it just needed some jazzing up with window treatments, decorative pillows, wall art, and clean and updated accessories. Great styling goes a long way!

Paint!! Paint is an incredibly effective and cost efficient way to transform your space. Grays are in right now, and you can see why in this beautiful living space. Remember that after you paint a space, the space must be styled before you decide if you love the color or not. Nearly all of my clients dislike the new paint color when we first repaint. And they always love it when it's refined with style!

This client wanted style with comfort. A welcoming atmosphere is key, whether at home or at the office.

The family room is most often the room that offers the invitation to live life together. It's important to create a space that says "come hang here," and also says "have a little luxury with that conversation!"

Functionality is key! The space MUST meet your needs, and make you feel like this is your spot!

Defining the possibilities of a space will guide the design process. This space has many different functions...sleep, conversation, and work.

Shine, color, and bold patterns...the perfect combination. And you can't go wrong to top it off with an accent wall!

Notice the large pieces of wall decor...large walls should always have large decor! If a client is attached to smaller items that they want on a larger wall, I always recommend to pair them with larger pieces, so the combination will fill the wall.

Contrary to popular belief, wallpaper can still be a beautiful and modern option. The wallpaper gives this room exactly what it needs...a touch of sophistication with a print for contrast.

Polishing the outside of a home is a great way to refine the inside of a home. The outdoor spaces have a huge influence on the inside.

Here's another great example if mixing patterns in a complementary fashion.

Details, details, details! This cute little bench once was not so cute. Recovered with a beautiful and bold printed fabric, it offers a real bit of character to this nook!