THE WINDOW SEAT

The Window Seat is a very useful design feature that can add great beauty and character to any room. On the practical side, a hinged top can turn them into additional storage for linens, blankets, pillows, etc. and in many rooms, they provide additional seating that could not otherwise be achieved; often times I find that they are the only option for breakfast nooks in my remodel work. Who doesn’t dream of taking their shoes off, wrapping themselves in a cozy throw, leaning against a bunch of pillows and reading a good book on a window seat? It is a classical image, but one that I find young and old still enjoy. Another one of their virtues is that they can work as an “anchoring” element for the otherwise uninteresting window, giving it an additional function and providing the visual base it might have lacked before. And as I always say: “ They come in all colors”, by that I am not just referring to the actual hues but to the infinite design possibilities I find when I use them in my work. They can be a subtle and understated corner, such as the picture, where lightly patterned shades come down to a crisp white window sill; next, the seat cushion and pillows present a delicate palette with peaceful patterns. In contrast, their traditional English and French versions display an abundance of patterns, textures and rich tailoring details. Finally one more piece of important advice: Remember it only takes the right length and depth to turn them into a daybeds and voila: you have another bed in any room that can also serve as a guest bedroom!

(Fabrics by Kravet)

Stairway Runners

A stairway in a foyer can make or break the space. It is the first impression a house gives to its visitors; a good stairway is like that indispensable broche on a dress. A stairway’s railing is one of its most important components; depending on the style of a home, railings can be richly ornate or simple and understated. Complementing the railing is the treatment used on treads and risers; some spaces call for stone, wood, stone and wood or runners. It is important to be cautious of how much detail you use on railings and how much detail you use on the steps, it is rarely necessary to make a strong statement with both. This photograph shows an eclectic residence where I kept the railings very geometric and unfussy, I did so because I wanted to create a dynamic effect on the runner, using different patterns on treads and risers. That way you perceive one pattern at eye level when all you see is risers and another pattern when you are stepping on its treads. I wanted to create an element of surprise in the way the stairway is experienced. Remember: always elegant, never boring!

Multifunctional Guest Bedrooms

Depending on the scale of your home, it’s very likely that your guest bedrooms will need to serve functions other than just bedrooms for your guests. More and more we see them double as home offices, dens, etc. If you have ever been one of those unfortunate guests that has to sleep in one of those insufferable sleeper-sofas, the sort where the middle bar is located right at lower back level, you know well there is no comfortable position to catch your Z’s. I have one word for happy guests or family lounging: Daybed! Something as simple as a twin mattress and a box spring, the right assortment of pillows, bed skirt and a bedspread sized to completely cover the mattress can do the trick efficiently and elegantly. Trundle beds can also work as daybeds. Just remember there are other ways to keep your guests from staying longer than they have to. Ernesto Garcia, ASID

Tips for Decorating your Condo by Ernesto Garcia, ASID

The standards for space use are quite different between urban and suburban areas. In other words condos (flats, apartments, etc.) tend to have smaller square footage to work with. I started my career in big cities in America and Europe, having to learn how to fight for every square inch (or every square centimeter ) to give comfort, beauty, drama or serenity to each space. On this post, I will be sharing with you some important guidelines to make your Condo spaces more comfortable, livable, beautiful and efficient ones. Enjoy!

• Built-ins will be your best friends in a condo. They are an exceptional means of increasing storage and shelving that can be decorative and functional at the same time. Keep it simple; appliqués and overly detailed elements can make built-ins look too heavy. Ideally, built-ins should be addressed by the buyer, rather than looking to the builder to include them during construction. Designing your own built-ins to fit your needs can assure functionality and beauty. Some examples: linen cabinets that fit behind a door and home office built-ins that house the TV, computer, printers, book shelves and decorative accessories.

• Paint colors should be in a unified palette. When you use a single color for walls in the living room/dining room, for example, you “expand” the spatial perception of the rooms. This doesn’t mean you cannot have an accent wall; sometimes it’s perfect to define a space.

• Because rooms will be smaller, paint doors, trims, built-ins and closet doors in the same color as the walls. That way, your eyes will be drawn to furnishings and fabrics instead of the numerous cutouts and openings in the space.

• Keep the color contrast between walls and ceilings to a minimum; that will make people less aware of generally lower heights.

• Heavy and overly decorated chandeliers, pendants and wall sconces are not as suitable in condos as larger spaces. They can look overwhelming and out of scale. Choose clean-lined and more understated sources of light.

• Don’t get rid of everything from your previous home. Rescue pieces that are well proportioned to their new spaces. Heirlooms and antiques can become focal points in specific rooms.

• With art, address scale first. You want to make sure that your furnishings will serve as an “anchor” for your artwork. It’s fine to use art as a focal point; just make sure a piece doesn’t completely overwhelm its surroundings.

• Mirrors are a consideration, particularly floor-to-ceiling mirrors. They expand your perception of the size of a room. Place them in foyers, dining rooms, bedrooms (the headboard wall preferably) and don’t be afraid to back furniture against them. You’ll be surprised how dramatic a console or a chair can become. Or, try anchoring a framed painting against a mirror. It will look like the art is floating.

• When in comes to condo window coverings, less is more. Stay away from overly detailed rods and finials and heavy swags. Few condos have the scale to accommodate such treatments. Keep fabrics un-patterned and stay close to your wall color. If you must use a pattern, go ahead and make a statement but keep everything else in the room close to monochromatic.