Warm Up Your Home with Rustic Wood Walls

When you imagine a room decked out with wood paneled walls, do you envision an outdated ‘70s space? Well, maybe you should think again. It’s 2014 and wood walls have come a long way in the past 40-plus years! In order to avoid an old fashion look, balance is the key. My team here at Paula Berg Design Associates has incorporated wood in a number of projects, making it a versatile accent that creates a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.

Break up the monotony of a plain wood wall by accenting it with an outstanding piece of art. A pretty landscape painting completes this intimate, traditional style living room. Depending on your own preference, many other art styles could either complement or contrast a wood wall, including abstract, contemporary or even a bold photograph.

Wood interiors pair magnificently well with bold, natural colors. This dining table, garnished with decadent fall colors, couldn’t be a better match for the light wood panels surrounding it. It’s very reminiscent of Thanksgiving. What better way to get the family gathered around the table more often?

Rooms with wood walls require lots of natural sunlight. Although this room is showcased at night, you can easily imagine just how bright this space would look during the day. Don’t become too reliant on natural light, though. Notice how the overhead fixtures brighten the space once the sun sets.

Why limit yourself to just wood walls. Look up, and apply that same design aesthetic to the ceiling! Often thought of as the fifth wall, the ceiling is a surface with infinite design possibilities. Located just above this seating area, the ceiling does a great job of topping off a cozy little conversation nook.

The wood panel backdrop here makes for the perfect complement to a simple tree branch headboard. And the horizontal positioning of the panels makes it an unexpected feature. The antlers really play up the rustic experience in this room, too.

Let me and my award-winning team help you achieve a home style that blends rustic wood walls seamlessly with your home’s decor. Contact Paula Berg Design Associates to schedule a design consultation.

Unique Credenzas Add Interest to Formal Dining Areas

Is there a room in your home that could use an interesting focal point? Adding a smart, multi-functional piece like a credenza can add not only style and function, but also extra storage just where you need it most.

Contrary to popular belief, a credenza isn’t the same thing as a buffet. It’s a rather wide set of cabinets that sit low to the floor on slim legs, sometimes with sliding doors. Here’s just one way a credenza can complete the look and feel of your rustic mountain home.

This room is ideal on so many levels. The dining room strikes a happy medium with handsome, strong furniture and wood finishes adorned by a simple floral arrangement and two pretty landscapes scenes on the wall and, of course, on the surface of the credenza.

If you focus on just the credenza, you’ll begin to realize just how powerful this one piece of furniture is. As a strong focal point, it doesn’t overwhelm the room. It fits perfectly up against the wall as if it was built specifically for this spot. It’s rare to find a piece that sits so snugly!

From dinner parties to holiday gatherings, the surface of this credenza is a convenient extra tabletop for everything from hors d’oeuvres to drinks and condiments. For families that prefer mealtime with no distractions, everyone can sit their smartphones and tablets on the credenza until the meal is complete.

This credenza is also the perfect conversation starter. Because of its unique face, guests will surely ask about this one-of-a-kind piece, making for lively conversation at the table. How delightful! When the party’s over, it can store platters and other silverware you may not want on display.

If you’re unsure how unique pieces of furniture can blend into your home, Paula Berg Design Associates can help. Contact our experienced teams in Park City, UT or Scottsdale, AZ to discuss how our expertise can be of service to you!

Rustic Refinement with Natural Stone

When applied to mountain home design, natural stone packs a powerful punch, even in places where you least expect it. Adding texture, drama and warmth, you can easily achieve a multi-faceted space with this one feature.

It may not be fall right now, but this entryway would be quite the dream to walk into on a crisp, cold October day. It’s quite mesmerizing in a unique way. Just think of the complexity involved to perfect each piece of stone in this unified design. If you truly admire architecture and its flexibility, a stone feature in your home will represent so much more than just something pretty to look at.

It’s not every day that stacked stone is seen inside the home. Often accentuating pools and landscapes, this bathroom pulls a lot inspiration from the outdoors. If there was ever a place to add an unexpected touch at home, natural stone in this private space is no doubt in a league of its own. Character and charm proudly lead the way here. If anything, this bathroom should serve as inspiration. Stone can live anywhere in the home!

In both images, you’ll notice how these designs are great examples of incorporating stacked stone in a random, natural pattern. There’s no need for grout or any type of epoxy to make the stones perfectly symmetrical.  In both cases, stones are arranged much like how you’d find them in their natural habitat. This is what makes natural stone in mountain homes so realistic and authentic. Another feature you may not have noticed is that each floor also incorporates more rugged stone.

Think beyond your typical fireplace with a stone surround and stone incorporated into landscapes. Could your bedroom, bathroom or any other space use a touch of mountain flair? Natural stone might be what the doctor ordered. Paula Berg Design Associates would love to help you achieve the mountain style home you want and deserve. Contact one of our showrooms in Park City or Scottsdale for more information about letting us spearhead your project.