~Dive Right INTO A POOL OF GEOMETRIC BLISS ~

Are you craving a little something different in your home’s decor? Are you looking to occupy a space in your home that has an architectural flair? If you are,  you may want to add a little geometry to your world. I’m not speaking of the math class you took in high school, but the geometric world of funky hexagons and fearless patterns. The geometric trend is a perfect way to energize your home. It’s a fabulous way to breathe life into a space and enhance a minimalist point of view and give a room an incredible polished look. If you want a room to look like you hired a designer, you’re going to have add a few pops of visual interest to your interiors. Patterns are fundamental and meet interior designer’s basic requirements while looking famously modern.Deciding to incorporate geometric into your home can be easy, but I am always asked how far should a person go? Do you use the patterns as an accent role or do you want to make a  bold statement with wallpaper? It’s about understanding which elements of a room should play the leading role and which should act as an assisting director. If you choose to add more than one geometric pattern go ahead. Having a slight variation between the tones keeps things feeling unoriginal. I just love the unexpected and so may you! Below are a few ways to you can add a little geometric flair to a space. Always remember have a little fun, be a little daring and never be boring!  

An open airy construction piece just as West Elem’s below can provide and artful component to a negative space!

Sophistication meets geometry with a prism coffee table. It has a refined softness to it while furthering the modern look you are trying to achieve. It stimulates the senses every time one engages with it.

 

Blue & Gold Geometric Shower Curtain By Society 6

 

By adding a bold geometric rug you can make a bold WOW statement, like our designers did below. They added a small geometric metal accessory to tie the look together:

  

Another geometric trend is the addition of patterns and finishes to a piece of furniture. Here are two of our favorites!

 The Haynes design is an innovative, architectural display and storage solution of pretty Mondrian geometries grounded by a black lacquer inset base. The grid design features useful pedestals and shelves that cantilever, suspend or float on the substantial iron frame.

Photo: Bungalow 5

     

How To Design Your Dream Dining Room

An inviting dining space is a home essential and chances are it’s one room in your home that could use a little attention. It’s not only about function, but a little fashion as well. It’s much more than just eating. It should be about the ambiance people feel when they dine in your home. A space where family and friends make time to share their lives. A place where a little drama may erupt in conversation or a place where a little drama can be felt within the décor. Your table is the anchor of the room and the surrounding chairs are just as important.  You want a table set that looks great, serves your dining needs and will last a long time. It’s important to take the time to select the right table for your room’s size and purpose. If you’re looking to go smaller or for great conversation and social gatherings, a round table is a great option. If you’re looking to go larger, a rectangular is popular choice. Most importantly don’t forget to confirm your dining room’s available space before making any table purchases. “Measure and measure again to before falling in love with a table that just won’t work.   It’s fun to add an eclectic mix of chairs to your dining space and a great way to add your own personal style. Make sure they are the right height for your table before falling in love with them!  I also love the look of a bench. So often in a dining space we think of individual chairs as our only choice. A bench with a medley of chairs works for any style of dining space from formal to casual, traditional to transitional. You can also cozy up to your favorite person and squeeze in a few more people during the holidays.  Plan for beautiful lighting in your dining room. Include that uniquely gorgeous chandelier you have been eyeing for a while now. The right fixture can do your space a major favour and exhibit your personal style. It can easily contribute to mood and functionality of the room. A light fixture is like a beautiful piece of jewelry that’s enjoyed from a far. It can be more adventurous because no one’s touching these hanging works of art. Your chandelier can act as the sculptural element in your dining room. It can create the exact mood in which you choose to feel in the space. Don’t forget to consider the diameter and height in which you choose to have your chandelier hung when redecorating the space.     

Ways To Infuse Orange Into Your Home Décor This FAll

Marking the beginning of Fall, pumpkin spiced lattes have made their presence in our favorite coffee shops and fall festivals have begun with their variety of fun filled activities. The shades of Fall such as orange, yellow and brown make for bewitching accents for the home. This week I want to focus on how the happy color orange can be introduced into your home decor and how its many flavors can bring warmth and energy into a space. Physically, this flamboyant color stimulates activity and socialization. It's time to inject a little fun into your life, don't you think? In home decor, it can revitalize and refresh a room in the most attractive way. Playfully dramatic, orange can wake you up in the morning, draw attention to a space or act as the star, making it the focal point to a room.  If your not ready to take the full "orange" plunge, introducing a piece of artwork, bedding, lamp or  pillows will add a surprising splash of color your room craves to have. The brightly colored hue of orange makes for a great contrast to neutral furnishings. It won't be a overpowering, but can still be beautiful. Today we appreciate orange in all its varying shades and the spark of energy it can add to a home. Let's commemorate it in your home and allow this versatile color to bring an uplifting mood. Let us inspire you with the many ways our design team incorporated orange into their designs. Enjoy the photos as we say cheers with our pumpkin lattes in hand.  

The Safe Whisperer ~Enchanting Secrets Preserved In A Jewel

In order to preserve ones treasures & enchanting secrets, Boca do Lobo designed safes to secure them. Art for your home, each one has a personality of its own. They've been materialized into pieces of artwork for your home or office. With inspiring details, their mere presence creates a fascinating world of their own.  Some of their safes are inspired by the great artistic movement- surrealism. They not only guarantee the preservation of your most valued possessions, but exude confidence and validity. Several of Boca do Lobo's treasures contain watch winders and cigar humidors. They're unique flavor materializes into beauty and function in the most poetic way. I believe these safes have become more personal. They've reached a point where the unique functionality embodies pure luxury in a life well lived. Answering the question- "What is luxury"   may be more complex than one knows, but I believe these safes are works of art. The're undeniable unique and give one pleasure by their mere presence. They're not just objects in your home. They are an experience, a journey per say. They lend themselves to craftsmanship that will evoke feelings inside us all.Jorge Canete, the founder of Boca do Lobo was once quoted saying "I strongly believe in encounters; encounters with clients, with artists, with brand and with places. I love my job because each time we can write a new story". Then there's the talented Marco Coasta,  Boca's head of design who stated "I believe that society is getting tired of industrial processes and mass production, my fight is to change this “way of living” from everyone." I am in agreement with both of their beliefs. I love my job and the weekly encounters the interior design field brings into my life. The places we've been inspires us to reach beyond the conventional home decor. Our Beasley & Henley team is always on the search for ways to bring more value and interest to a space. We enjoy desiging each clients home with a story in mind. A sweet story of beauty in a voice that speaks to them in the most beautiful way.Below are a few of my favorite safes  coupled with a sprinkled of Boca's cabinet designs that I have a slight love affair with...

Dali Safe

The Millionaire

 

Baron

Cream Diamond

Oporto

Piccadilly

Dom Heritage

Pixel

Modern Gold For Your Home: How Fall In Love With A Little Gold In Your Home

When I talk about the gold trend there are some that may feel a slight jolt from the 1980's. As designers we don't see it that way and I want you to see and feel the sophistication and glamour it could bring to your home. Unlike the 80's,  today's gold trend is more about style and less about the "bling". I have to admit, I have a reinvigorated love affair with a touch of gold.  When used correctly the gold trend can be quite flexible and endearing. It can be used as a stunning focal point, such as a coffee table, chandelier or piece of artwork. When incorporated into your accessories the richness in tones can enhance the simplicity of a space. It's my job to incorporate this trend into a clients home in a timeless way. In a way that will hold its value and remain engaging for seasons to come.I believe what a multi layered statement necklace does for a simple white dress, a gold piece of furniture or accessory will do for your home. It will provide style, evoke a feeling and respond to you on a personal level. When it comes to gold decor look for pieces with personality. If the pieces could talk what would you want them to say? Keep them interesting, light and fun. Allow them to add shine to your space, wake up a neutral backdrop or even compliment brights. I do believe they should come with a little warning sign that reads,  "Please Distribute Carefully  In Your Home." There is an art to striking the right balance and gold furniture in access can awaken your senses in a way that is not ascetically pleasing. The trick is to mix them with softer textures to balance them out. Here are a few ways Beasley & Henley Interior Design has incorporated the ever so appealing "gold" trend into our clients homes:

Here we added gold to this gorgeous home in Naples Florida. We've incorporated this timeless trend with a brushed gold cocktail table, side table, foyer light fixture and wall accessory. 

 

A cocktail table and wall sconces were chosen to add a little glamour to this home.

   

A polished chandelier was incorporated into this guest suite to add a touch of interest to the space.

We chose gold mosaic tiles to embrace the refined look of the bar in this luxurious home. The gold compliments the marble top beautifully.

Here are a few of our favorite home decor pieces from Inside Avenue Home Decor:

I am loving the gold accented legs of these bar stools, console table and chandeliers  from Lexington Home.

Spring 2016 Color Report- Pantone Color Of The Year

Harmonious and softly mindful are Pantone's colors of the year: Rose Quartz & Serenity.  Their gorgeous pairing bring a refreshing feel to one's home and I feel it's a nice departure from last years rich color, Marsala. They dance to a song of equality and peace. A beautiful story of well being can be told with these calming colors, in this uncertain world. Rose Quartz & Serenity give off a hint of whimsy. A magical being of sorts, created from sweetness and fairy tales. I see these colors working seamlessly not only in home decor, but in fashion and beauty products as well.

SERENITY

I love the color blue! It's been my favorite color from the moment I could feel the beauty in colors.  I love the blue of Key West, hydrangea blooms and my favorite blue jumpsuit with golden zipper details . I think of all that's good in the world when I think of the color blue. It brings a sense of peace and serenity to a mind that stays in constant motion. Pantone's light blue is like a cashmere blanket on a Fall's day. It can bring warmth and serenity to a space with its appearance. Once you acknowledge this pretty shade in a space you can truly appreciate its beauty.      

Rose Quartz

The color pink reminds me of sweet lullabies, cotton candy and pink lip gloss. It's an antidote to the stresses of life. I can see this compassionate color being used in a nursery a serene painting or a few well played accessories . Airy and light, I can see Rose Quartz in both modern or glamours spaces.  Appealing in many finishes this relaxing color can be surprisingly sophisticated and livable. I can see Rose Quartz paired with many colors. I can see it paired with cream, black, gray, teal, burgundy, taup or shade of metallic. 

The occasional chairs are adorned in a rose quartz fabric. The designer at Beasley & Henley Interior Design incorporated serenity into the stripe of the drapes.

Rose Quartz Wall Paint

    

Was Choosing A Metal Roof For My Home A Good Idea ???????

The long awaited question "do I love my new metal roof?"  is about to be answered today, and I answer this question with an unalterable YES!  I say yes to the style, form and function of this beauty.  I never thought a clean, crisp roof could administer the butterflies as our new kitchen did, but it does. It gives my home a little pick me up.  It's a fetching protector of my home and has not only added to the numerical value, but a striking design element as well. You could say it gives my home that certain je-ne-sais-quio I had been looking for.As of today I don't have a single regret. I don't regret choosing this shinning beauty over a shingle roof.  I don't regret spending 20% more, because most of the cost will be recouped over the next several years.  Like I mentioned in my previous blog, "To Metal Or Not To Metal", I would like to reiterate all the reasons why it was the best choice for me...Metal is non-combustible and will never catch fire, i'm a big fan of this one!  It will protect my house against extreme weather conditions such as hurricane level winds. During heavy rain storms metal roofs can be noisy, "so I heard", but since installation the heavens have opened up several times and I've heard  nothing!  Not a pitter, not even a patter of sound against the metal . It won't crack, chip or warp, unlike all other common roofing materials. It's going to save us as much as 25% off our annual home energy bill.  It's cooling reflective surface reflects solar heat right back into the atmosphere. I cannot wait to see the savings on my electric bill this summer! My roof will certainly last past my lifetime and will remain 100% recyclable at the end of its service life. It will never end up in our landfills and for that reason alone the choice was a wise one for me!

Roof Before

     

Complete!

                                                                                              

All Systems Go - The Ikea model starts!

We finally received the call to start the install of the first Ikea model. It’s all systems go!If you’ve read my blogs on this Ikea adventure, you’ll remember that the install date for the Ikea models for Lennar Homes was December 9. As is all too common in homebuilding and construction in general, that date was ’bumped’. It happens.  Often and to all builders.Anyway we are moving ahead.  Our regular installers are not on this job, we have Ikea deliver and set up everything.  Before we started we figured about 50% of this project was going to be spent sitting on the floor looking for lost screws, staring at diagrams and assembling furniture!We were terribly wrong.Thank goodness for the Ikea assemblers! This team of 3 mighty–men are putting everything together for us. Tables, chairs, sofas, even mirrors and artwork. It all has to be assembled.   By the end of Day 1, we already love these guys.When we ordered this project, we didn’t do it via the website the way a regular customer would.  Since the volume was so large we had a dedicated purchasing agent at Ikea organize the orders and place them.  She was great, but a few things fell through the cracks.  That resulted in a very late night shopping at Ikea on Wednesday.  We were there for so long that when we left there were no cars left in the parking lot.  I’ve never seen that before!But who cares about all that because The House looks great!Yes it has taken a thousand details, a thousand dowels, a million manuals. But Ikea possesses something others vendors don't– great, right-now style and versatility of all their pieces.  The looks, the colors, the vibe and the endless possibilities of Ikea has allowed us to do something no one has ever done before – an entire, amazingly designed home all of Ikea.We can’t wait for everything to be finalized to share the images of this amazing home with you!PS the talented Beasley & Henley design team that pulled all this together is, of course, FANTASTIC!

Wainscoting Hacks that Will Transform Your Dining Room

Blog By: ModernizePaneling has, over the years, developed a poor reputation within the interior design world, and many homeowners are reluctant to use it in an important place, such as a dining room. This low reputation, however, is largely a product of poor quality and terrible applications. Wainscoting, a paneling method that only partially covers a wall, is a superb approach to adding accents to a room. Wainscoting also allows homeowners to create subtle contrasts, such as pairing white panels against matte-colored paint work. With the right choices, we at Modernize believe wainscoting can provide a dining room with a classy accent.An Architectural LookPhoto: Via Modernize.comOne of the most popular styles of wainscoting employs a strongly architectural style. These types of wainscoting are reminiscent of Victorian-era plaster cast elements that were added to luxury homes. A newer generation of materials, however, allows these types of panels to be very durable, and they’re also easy to clean, making them ideal additions to any dining space.Raised PanelsNot every interior is compatible with a traditional look of luxury, but there is a type of wainscoting that’s suited to more modern styles. Raised panels look good, and they add a strong element of visual interest to otherwise plain walls. They’re a superb choice for homeowners who wish to create a contrast against plain interior walls.Wall PanelsWall panels are a more aggressive approach to deploying wainscoting within a dining room. They’re best utilized in rooms that have high ceilings, and they can be a clever way to break up the monotony of a large wall. They look glamorous, and they play nicely with accent features, such as chandeliers, that are popular in many dining areas. Wall panels can also be integrated with other features in a room, including doors, allowing a homeowner to hide those elements and reduce the attention that dining guests might pay them.Wainscoting is a detailed accent features, and homeowners should keep a few issues in mind when using it. As with many accents, it’s a good idea to only use wainscoting in spaces that are relatively simple and subtle. Wainscoting plays best with matte finishes and paint colors that are light or subtle. It also works nicely when stylistically integrated with other elements, such as large windows and doorways. 

Do you know Shagreen?

I love Shagreen and during our most recent visit to High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina we saw a lot of it. From light to dark, it's being used in a fashions.  For those of you that are not familiar with shagreen, it's the skin of small sharks and stingrays in it's natural state. It's highly labor intensive and the exquisitely constructed furniture and accessories will show in cost. If the cost has deterred you from purchasing an authentic shagreen find in the past, there's no longer a need to worry. You can thank modern day technology for developing faux shagreen.  Now we can all  have a little piece of luxury in our homes, which is a good thing for the sharks and rays too! During the reign of Louis XIV, hides were used for inlay work on pillboxes, scientific instruments and sward hilts. Shagreen became very popular again in the 1890's. The Duke of Windsor started a new fascination when he commissioned humidors and the most sumptious furniture out of shagreen.Shagreen is in vogue today and you'll continue to see this luxurious material stay strong in 2016 . It's pattern is delicate in nature and defines what makes up great design. Shagreen's granular surface gives it an incredibly striking look and feel. It's durability make for great furniture.Below are a few snap shots of this luxurious trend we saw at High Point this month.