Monthly Archives: May 2014

Color Palettes Inspired by Nature

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It’s funny how the blogosphere erupts every time a new color trend is announced. From Pantone’s Radiant Orchid to Tangerine Tango, these bright picks always become an instant craze. However, they usually burn out pretty quickly. Chances are, bright hues of orange and pink won’t last in your mountain style home long-term. And this is exactly why warm, organic color palettes are what I build my designs around.

When your home is decorated with natural colors, your space is easier to live in. That’s because when you’re surrounded by off-the-wall colors, you’re more likely to be on edge and alert. If you prefer to relax and unwind, warm shades of brown will allow you to do just that.

Brown is said to evoke feelings of “stability, reliability and approachability.” Most things in nature are some shade of brown, which makes it the most natural color you could possibly incorporate into your mountain style home. But that’s not all. Brown affects us physically and psychologically as well by making us feel whole and connected with the earth. In fact, Pantone’s Fall 2014 color trend report includes a very natural shade of brown known as Cognac.

When choosing your neutral palette, be very aware of your home’s lighting. As much as we love brown, it can make for a dark and dreary space when the lighting isn’t quite right. Natural sunlight will always work wonders, but if that’s not possible, go with lighter shades such as cream. The room pictured above displays the best of both worlds. Not only is there a great view of natural elements outside, but it’s also a room full of soft natural colors. You can clearly see that even once the sun sets, this room never goes dark.

My design team would be honored to devise a customized and personalized natural color scheme for your mountain style home. Contact us at Paula Berg Design Associates in Park City or Scottsdale to learn how we can make natural, neutral and rustic colors work for your living space for years to come.

Truly Indoor/Outdoor Rooms

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Does an open, airy home sound like just a dream? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Homes that successfully and beautifully connect the indoors with what’s outside are expansive and leave little need for you to go elsewhere for relaxation and fun. Let’s go ahead and dive into a room I designed that immaculately represents this trend.

If you’ve ever wondered how to add value to your home, the answer is pictured right here. Although the concept of blending indoor and outdoor spaces is no new phenomenon, it never gets old. When it comes to entertaining guests or just enjoying time with your family, a seamless open floor plan like this is the perfect solution.

When a wall or window is in place, it sends a very specific message: “This is inside. That’s outside.” So here, the absence of an obvious door or wall is a strategic design mechanism. It allows everyone to easily flow in and out of the home without much thought. There’s no bothersome door to constantly open and close. There’s nothing to obstruct the view or the good time to be had. You can see how modern home design lends a hand in blurring your interior with Mother Nature.

The beauty of these two spaces is that you give yourself options. Some people prefer to remain in indoors, while others don’t mind taking in nature’s heat. Either way, everyone can enjoy a comfortable environment. In this open space, the festivities can be enjoyed from anywhere, ensuring that no one misses out on the fun!

Paula Berg Design Associates would be honored to customize an indoor/outdoor room for your mountain home. We encourage you to contact our team of experts in Park City, UT or Scottsdale, AZ to speak with us about your design needs!

Landscape Art Adds a Soothing Touch to Rustic Interiors

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Natural elements have a calming effect in the home, which is one reason why I like to incorporate wood, stone and greenery into designs. However, architecture and plants are not the only ways to add in the earth’s elements. Landscape paintings offer another, versatile way to create a soothing touch.

It’s important to avoid hanging just any landscape artwork on a wall. There’s an art to choosing the right type of painting, the appropriate size of painting and then hanging it in just the right spot. The colors, textures and theme of the artwork must connect in some way with the room’s style and palette.

The gold and green color in the painting above harmonizes with the light-wood walls and elements in the upholstery. Even the shimmering water portrayed in the painting has a counterpart in the room – the reflective glass surface of the coffee table. The effect is subtle enough so that it seems completely effortless.

Beyond its softening effect, the painting also provides an attractive focal point for the conversation area. Other types of wall art could have been used, but this interior space called for a natural scene to bring some natural elements indoors. Windowless areas can sometimes feel cold and claustrophobic. The framed landscape painting offers a beautiful view and a feeling of spaciousness.

I carefully considered size as well. As the room already has multiple colors, textures and patterns, it needed art that could also function as an anchor. In this case, this meant a single large painting rather than several small paintings, which would have made the area feel too busy, haphazard and ungrounded. The wall is large enough to accommodate the painting’s size both physically and visually.

Are you ready to turn your home into a masterpiece of comfort and beauty? Whether you’re simply looking for advice about choosing wall art, or you require extensive design services, let me and my award-winning design team help you create your dream home. Contact me today at Paula Berg Design Associates.

Add a Touch of Modernity with Textured Wood Ceilings

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Many people automatically categorize wood interiors as old fashioned and outdated. But please don’t be fooled — knotty wood can make for the ultimate modern interior design when incorporated properly and creatively.

First, let’s talk about what exactly knotty wood is. It’s a pretty simple concept. Have you ever seen a freshly cut tree trunk? You may remember seeing a number of spots or “knots” present. These natural demarcations, when left fully intact, can help emit a natural and rustic feel in the home.

Contrary to popular belief, bold interior designs don’t have to involve use of bright colors and off-the-wall decor. Many times, it’s all about the way you use common materials in unpredictable ways. In this particular space we designed, the ceiling is much more than just its name. Acting as a fifth wall, these wood planks and beams play a vital role in adding visual texture for an overall appealing focal point.

What’s also great about this space is the overall tone-on-tone theme. Although there are lots of materials used in this room, it all comes together to produce a warm, earthy feel that’s still completely modern.

Using wood in design can do much more than make your home a modern, yet rustic haven, too. If you’re looking for deeper meaning and going green is your thing, wood that’s renewable, sustainable or even locally harvested are all ways to ensure your home project doesn’t use unnecessary resources. Not only will these options save materials, but they’re often more cost-effective as well.

I’d love to have the opportunity to blend knotty wood into your rustic home design. Be sure to check out my photo gallery to see of examples of how we’ve already done this. To speak one-on-one about your design needs, you can always reach out to one of our studios in Park City, UT or Scottsdale, AZ. The team at Paula Berg Design Associates can’t wait to speak with you!

Polished Living Rooms – Contemporary Furniture Arrangements

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Arranging furniture in a contemporary style living room might seem like a fun way to spend an afternoon. But without proper planning, a one-day project can quickly become a nightmare.

Contemporary design is primarily identified by tons of natural light and plenty of open space. But furniture plays a vital role here too, as strong lines and form are key in finishing an authentic contemporary look.

Consider the room’s function. Will it be a space for gathering, or a quiet room for rest and relaxation? The purpose of the living room should guide how furnishings are arranged and how much will be needed.

Lots of people fall into the trap of pushing sofas up against the wall. But contemporary home design is all about breaking the rules. Unless your space is extremely small, centering sofas in the living room will create a more conversational atmosphere.

Also, be mindful of foot traffic. People should walk around the outskirts of a room, not through the middle if at all possible. This will make things less awkward when getting up in the middle of a conversation.

A rookie-decorating mistake is investing in a matching living room set from a single store. I firmly believe that a good living room needs variety. Play with different materials, finishes and sizes to really mix things up. Combine large and small, tall and short, rough and smooth — you might be surprised at how mixing and matching things actually falls nicely into place.

The living room pictured above is an excellent example of most of these tips. Foot traffic is forced to the outer parts of the room, while three tables take up the space in the middle. And, with the exception of the two sofas, no other pieces within this room are part of an identifiable or preconceived set.

Arranging furniture in your living room doesn’t have to be yet another chore on your list. Let Paula Berg Design Associates work magic in your home’s most social space. Contact us in Park City, UT or Scottsdale, AZ to schedule a design consultation.