Summer by the pool

Our July is coming to an end and tomorrow we are on to the beautiful August, which is the last month of the 2011 Summer. I must say I LOVE Chicago's Summers, despite our sometimes Crazy humidity factor. Our significantly strong seasons make me long for summers that much more.
This summer has been very beautiful and warm, it really had me thinking what a joy it must be to sit by your own pool and I must say, I can't wait to own one of my own.
There is nothing more refreshing and leisurely than spending your weekends by a beautiful poolside with your friends and taking a nice dip to cool of as your heart desires.
Here is a toast to this beautiful summer and to the pool in my future :)
Do any of you own a outdoor pool? I would love to hear about it and even see a photo!

xo Edyta











Selecting a Rug with Pattern or Not

Selecting the right rug for a room is pretty important. First before we go into the aesthetic & design details you could check out one of my older posts on -Rugs 101 to get more information on the construction.

When choosing the right rug first you have to ask yourself how do you want it to feel under your feet, do you want it to be plushy and very soft or do you want a more natural look and are fine with a little bit of a coarse feeling.

Another aspect to think about is -do you want the rug to give a wow factor with Pattern and Color or do you want it to set as a soft backdrop so that all other elements in the room stand out more.
I love designing with both, yet each one has a different outcome and both will not necessarily appeal to the same person - so think about it.
Usually more pattern (especially contrasting color pattern) will give the room a lot more energy and movement, where a solid rug with make it feel more monolithic and smooth.

Tell me what rugs do you love, what texture, color and pattern?

Take a look at some of these rugs beautifully used in a space with pattern and without :)

beautiful Madeleine Weinrib rug gives graphic element in a simple sleek way
photo courtesy of decorpad

Beautiful Greek key plays nicely with a solid sectional and pops of color in the pillows- perfect combo!
photo courtesy of  Zoland Interiors


One tone carpet sets a beautiful background for furnishings and details in pattern
photo courtesy of  John Nye & John Coolidge Photography

Beautiful monolithic natural rug creates a fantastic smooth layer under all furniture
photo courtesy of  Dillon Kyle Architects


subtle graphic in the rug creates a monolithic look but adds interest
photo courtesy of Christina Murphy

smooth color yet beveled texture rug adds depth yet softens the bedroom
photo courtesy of Courteney Hill


Smooth with slight tone on tone pattern almost goes away underfoot but creates luxe feeling and soft layered effect.
photo courtesy of McGill Design Group

How to update a Kitchen

Edyta's  Expert Advice

Many times when approaching a project- a clients want to transform their kitchen, yet they don't necessarily have the budget for a whole brand new kitchen (including cabinetry, cabinetry design, install and reconstruction of the whole kitchen.)
If your kitchen is in a good shape and meets your needs, there are a few things you can do to update and transform it's look.
Here they are:

1) Repaint the cabinet doors
Painting the cabinet doors will give it an instant punch and completely transform the look of the kitchen. There are professionals that do this, so they will come to your home, assess, take off the doors and hardware and have it professionally sprayed with any color of your choice. It will not only look beautiful it will be durable and a great new layer to your doors.

2) Repaint or Wallpaper the Kitchen
Adding some dimension with a new paint or wallpaper will give it that extra punch and point of interest. Go for it!

3) Change out the Cabinet hardware & Faucets
You can purchase beautiful new pulls & faucet that reflects your style and creates the feeling and statement you are going for in the finish you desire. These type of small details will really make a difference.

4) Add or change out the backsplash
If you don't currently have an installed backsplash add some beautiful mosaic tile to add interest and compliment the rest of the kitchen. You can also get rid of a dated backsplash and replace it with an updated beautiful design.

5) Change out the countertop
Chances are that your counter is significantly dating your kitchen. Choosing a beautiful stone or a stone composite can do wonders for the style and look of the kitchen.

6) Change out the light fixtures
Take a look at the kitchen pendants- perhaps over the island, the breakfast nook or the sink area. Choosing some fun new fixtures is an easy change that could bring in big impact.

7) Updated your appliances & sink
Changing out your appliances will really make a drastic change. Adding a beautiful new stove, refrigerator, hood vent, dishwasher and microwave & sink will bring in a nice modern touch to the kitchen (unless of course you are opting out for a little more ornate models ;)

8) Change the window treatment
This by itself can be a big change. Taking down a dated window treatment and having a beautiful roman shade made from your favorite textile can be so fresh. If you are repainting or wallpapering you can add that touch of color by coordination.

9) Change out the stools or refinish and reupholster
If you have an eating island or peninsula in the kitchen, think about replacing your stools. Also if they have great bones and the style you are looking for, have them refinished and reupholstered.

10) Update your floors
This could mean refinishing your hardwood floors or installing beautiful porcelain or stone floors. They could really be what you need in order to achieve the right look.

11) Clean & declutter
Yes, simply by purging and cleaning your kitchen will have a fresh sparkle. Getting rid of things on top of the counter and replacing it with great organizing solutions and simple decorative elements will do wonders.
Adding a few pretty counter containers for storage with the addition to fresh flowers will look clean, pulled together and fresh. :)

All of these tips will make great changes on their own in order to update your kitchen, yet if you are looking for a big transformation - Utilize them all, they will create a beautiful big impact and the kitchen, the kitchen  will look like a brand new with a new design at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay for a completely brand new kitchen.

Here are photos of some great kitchens to get you inspired:

check out the beautiful fixtures and beautiful stools

The color of the cabinetry along with the hardware is beautiful & how about that light fixture!

Beautiful light fixtures and fun wallpaper. The counter edge detail is elegant and the contrast in materials make it so elegant.

So sleek and elegant!

Pure joy!

Light fixtures, Lucite stools- amazing!!

Such a fun clean crisp kitchen! and that ceiling just brings in such a soothing feeling!

Elegance and joy!

Chartreuse in interior design

Color

One of my FAVORITE colors is chartreuse! The citrus hue is so fresh, so happy so airy and filled with tons of energy.  I love to see it used in variety types of interiors whether it's modern or a bit more classic. It could inject so much life to any space.
This tone works beautifully with so many other tones- Pink, Beige, black, white, gray oh and so many more combinations.
Take a look at some beautiful and happy spaces that include this power color:








Sally Benetict Art

Artist Showcase

One artist I am LOVING right now is Sally Benedict . I love her use of color that can add a youthful, fresh, airy and contemporary feeling into a space. Its also tones that I like to use in my paintings as well. Her technique is totally fresh and young and super fun. Including her work in an interior would add so much color punch and tons of Happy :) .Take a look at some of my favorite pieces of her beautiful work.









Comfortable Dining Chair

Furniture

One piece of furniture that needs to be very comfortable is a dining chair. Many times I see people choosing chairs that are purely functional yet are really not so comfortable. Think about when you are hosting dinner parties or having family over for holidays -you sure want them to to stay a while, enjoy each other's company, enjoy the beautiful dinner and congregate around the table. In that case, clearly we need to think about the comfort of the chair everyone will sit on. Of course we cannot forget the overall design of the room and how that chair will play a part in it, so choosing the style as well as comfort is very important. 

Comfort and style don't ever need to be mutually exclusive. I love many dining chairs some that are a bit more interesting and some that are very simple and classic.
My designs incorporate clean lines and this aesthetic can also very well lend itself to traditional interiors.
Selecting a good quality chair that could last a long time is key & a smart investment. Even if you decide to redo your dining room & reflect a different style- the clean line designed chair will work in many settings. Another perk is that you can always reupholster your great quality chairs, yet chances are that you might not even have to.
Take a look at these two design schemes I designed for you to showcase how a clean lined and very comfortable dining chair can lend itself in two different style interiors.

Contemporary Version


 Traditional with FlareVersion :)

Our Interior Design Process

One of the questions that I get asked alot is how we go about designing a room/ a space/ a home - what is our design process?. Clearly this is something we discuss with our clients yet it is also something that potential clients might not be clear about or assume based on their previous experience.
Our process is very organized and it benefits and leads us to best project results.
I have elaborated on each step to help you understand it in more detail. I'd love to know if you have any questions.
Here it goes:

EDYTA&CO.'s Interior Design Process

1)
Once the client has contacted us and we determined that we might be the right fit -we decide to meet in person.
Once we have met, discussed how we work and what the client is looking for, the client sets a budget, we then both agree and sign off etc. we begin the design process by asking tons of question. Some of the questions include - how do you entertain, what mood you want your space to feel, do you have dogs, how do you eat your breakfast, what is your daily routine, what are your needs, what colors speak to you.. and so on. This is very important since it makes everything easier down the road with better results. Some of the small details are very important- since it will help us create a space that you truly enjoy and feel your best in given that we could support your needs (on an emotional level, comfort level as well as functional level).

2)
After gathering information we take lots of photos and  measurements in order to create a floor plan and elevations. We proceed to pull inspirational images and things we collected from the client along with our notes to help us lead along the process to create a great plan & design from beginning to an end
We then create Existing, Demolition and New Construction drawings using AutoCAD to create an optimal floor plan design.


3)
After the floor plan we start creating a conducive furniture plan by drawing & placing properly scaled furniture pieces in different arrangements- again going by what we discussed your needs and wants are. Based on the information we gathered from the clients and their family we make sure to meet all needs while making a space plan that is beautiful, comfortable, balanced, harmonious & functional.
We then focus on preliminary layers such as rugs, mirrors, art, and lighting placement.

(In this project we worked on a grouping of three rooms the Living Room was one of them. The focal point of the room was the fireplace)


4)
Based on our client discussion we then create a colorway for each space starting with floor finish, cabinetry, tile, stone finish, textiles and soft goods (sofa upholstery, accent pillow upholstery trim & piping, lamp shade finish, rug finish, chair upholstery & piping detail, ottoman upholstery, drapes fabric and trim etc.)
Then we start sourcing and selecting furniture pieces that fit within the budget that was set at the beginning of the project.
 No detail goes unnoticed, each piece whether custom or semi custom is specifically chosen for the clients design, while specifying every right detail that fits the clients needs and desires- Examples in a sofa: (Sofa frame, filling of the sofa cushions, types of cushions- loose back or tight back, fabric type according to the feeling we are after and lifestyle, how the fabric is applied to the sofa in construction, as well as any other detail such as a cord, fringe or finish that needs to be chosen). Every one of the details for each piece such as fabric, trim and finish is carefully selected based on the durability needs for the client in order to compliment the overall look and feeling of the design.
As we choose all upholstery pieces we also specify paint, rugs, tables, wall coverings, light pendants, chandeliers, mirrors, art, table lamps, hardware etc.along with all the finishes, details and customized options that go with each piece.
It's a very in depth process and each and every piece needs to have a meaning and a purpose in order for the space to work.
Although it takes time and lots of creative processes, it ends up being an amazing result which is a beautifully tailored design.

(Visual compilation of some of the pieces used in one of our living room design projects)


 5)
Once everything is selected specified and priced, it is organized into a presentation and book format for the client to see it in pieces- similar to the way we specify it and order it.
The book includes, floor plans, elevations, furniture, rugs, pillows, art and accessories etc.
Prices are also listed for every piece.

6)
We then call our clients to set a design presentation date and time where we present the overall design which is presented in it's entirety (we often break up projects into several phases a room at a time or a group of rooms) The presentation includes floor plans, elevations, renderings,  furniture photos along with fabric, trim & finish samples. We present and discuss every piece.
As the client also receives the binder they are welcome to answer any questions at the end of the presentation, we then discuss any tweaks that might take place before proceeding with the procurement contract phase.

7)
Once the design is signed off on we contract into a  procurement phase where we draft up purchase orders, follow up and schedule everything that is needed to create and deliver the stunning new design.
As the project takes place we visit the site and check on the progress, we coordinate all the ordering pieces & continually check, follow up on every order.

8)
Once everything is ready to be installed we set an installation date in order to install the room at it's entirety.
The installation process could take anywhere from one to few days.

9)
The big reveal day!! This is when the client sees the end result and gets to enjoy the new beautifully designed space.


~So this is our design process in a nutshel :)  of course there are so many details and steps that go into everything- yet this outlines it well. I'd love to hear if you have any questions. My Best! ~Edyta

Dark Blue

For today's color feature,I am showcasing the Deep Blue / Navy Blue color.
It's such a great and fresh color and so hot at the moment.
Dark blue impacts your thinking and decision making pattern, it will help you focus and clarify clutter to help you determine what's important to you in order to make proper decisions.
This color with helps with combining little picture with big picture :)
We shall envelop ourselves in this color it will make our lives easier,, don't you think ;-)

In interiors I just love dark blue / navy blue with white, purples, pinks, grays & warm beige - it gives this beautiful fresh feeling.
Check out some of my favorite rooms with some of these combos :)


I just love this space by Healing Barsanti. It's super relaxed, comfortable yet so stylish and happy.

This dramatic yet fun and happy room by Mary McDonald is so chic and tailored- love!

So much style and drama in this fabulous room by Windsor Smith.

Beautifully tailored polished room by Atmosphere interiors- it's divine!

I just love how relaxed and comfortable this room feels yet it's extremely fresh and vibrant at the same time.
not sure the source

Great room to cozy up in read a book or watch a movie by Jan Showers

masculine and perfectly dramatic kitchen by Miles Redd

Fresh and relaxing room with whites, navy and other punches of color
source-not sure