Tag Archives: Interior designer Utah

Make the Most of Your View

Posted on by

Real estate 101 taught us that when it comes to buying a home or lot, it’s all about location, location and location. From a city skyline or a waterfront beach to snow-capped mountains, a glorious view can take on many different faces. Of course, the latter is what we love out west! If an outdoor view is what you crave, designing a home that also caters to the outdoors presents a dual challenge — but it can be done. After all, making sure that a unique tree with organic twists and curves is perfectly framed right outside your dining room window is no easy feat.

A room with a view requires very little in the realm of furnishing and decor. Keeping it minimal and simple forces the human eye outside to Mother Nature’s own piece of wondrous art. The neutral, slightly monochromatic color scheme inside is very reminiscent of what’s seen outside — a majestic mountain view. Here, it’s clear to see why homes that offer a view often go for a premium price tag. They’re classy, exclusive and luxurious.

Trees and acres of rolling grass just outside deserve floor-to-ceiling windows. The seating in this spacious living room is amplified by the backdrop outside.

Whether you’re able to enjoy an outdoor view or not, don’t forget that bringing the outdoors in is always an option. Wood, stone, plants, water features, landscape art, natural light and organic forms will all help keep Mother Nature close by.

Beautiful views are also said to improve our health, believe it or not. Various studies have shown that a constant view of the outdoors can lift your mental capacity. What a perfect excuse for floor-to-ceiling windows!

If you own a mountain style home, there should be plenty of opportunity for you to capture the essence of Mother Nature in your living space. Luckily, our team here at Paul Berg Design Associates thrives on creating living spaces that bring the outdoors in. Contact us in Park City or Scottsdale to learn more about how we can transform your home into a work of art that welcomes nature inside.

Color Palettes Inspired by Nature

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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!

Kitchen Chandeliers Dazzle and Shine

Posted on by

If you believe that chandeliers are only for dining rooms, think again. As families spend more time in the kitchen, the need for more intricate lighting options comes into play. Although recessed, task and pendant lighting will always have a place in the kitchen, chandeliers are making headway.

The purpose and function of a chandelier in the kitchen goes way beyond being just another source of light. It gives off a sense of individuality, character and charm that other forms of lighting can’t. Even in the plainest of kitchens, a chandelier can take it from drab to fab in an instant.

In this kitchen, the chandelier is perfectly situated, forcing the eye to look up in admiration. Your attention is automatically drawn to the center of the room, which is exactly the visual effect it should have.

Here, the metallic countertop is just one cool kitchen feature. Directly above, this cylinder fixture adds a tasteful finishing touch to this airy, modern space. It also creates a bit of surprise, which can always serve as a conversation starter.

In both kitchens, you’ll notice that lighting is multi-dimensional. While function is a given, flexibility is also a must for homeowners. To meet this desire, several layers of lighting in addition to the chandelier can create the ultimate visual effect.

There are plenty of other reasons you should reconsider hanging a chandelier in your kitchen:

  • For the sake of adding an element of surprise. Much like our cylinder light above, people love design elements they don’t usually see.
  • Are you a history buff? A vintage chandelier could bring a bit of the past into your modern day dwelling.
  • If your kitchen is characterized by lots of solid materials like wood, glass, stainless steel, stone and/or tile, an elegant chandelier could be an ideal way to add a little softness to a hard, masculine kitchen.

I’d love to design a functional kitchen in your home, complete with a stunning chandelier. Contact Paula Berg Design Associates if you’re ready to discuss a potential home design project.

Designing with High-Style Armoires

Posted on by

From Britain’s Victorian era and ancient Rometo the days of King Louis the XIII, armoires have been an effective home feature for centuries. Not only can they solve just about any storage problem, but they also add character like few other furnishings can.

Believe it or not, the life of the armoire started out as much more than a pretty piece for the corner. Roman soldiers relied on timber boxes known as “armoriums” to transport weapons. Over time, as people began to thrive, they needed a secure place to display their belongings. As such, those timber boxes were turned on their sides, legs were added and they evolved into chests or “caskets” that could hold a family’s possessions and valuables.

It doesn’t matter if your armoire is a Victorian antique or a sleek new model from a high-end furniture store – it deserves to be the focal point, especially in important spaces like bedrooms and living rooms. Armoires take up a vast amount of space, so the right placement will help match it to your surrounding decor.

Don’t feel that you always have to force your armoire flush against a wall. Here, we placed this unit at an angle beside the fireplace. It almost feels like there’s an extra wall in this small, cozy space.

Much like our 14th century predecessors, this built-in armoire is a seamless continuation of the rest of the room’s wood finish. In fact, it fits like a glove!

There are times when an armoire looks best when pushed flat up against a wall. We adore this space because the storage unit acts as a continuation of the room’s massive built-in fireplace.

Finally, don’t let your armoire go to waste! You can use it to store all kinds of things – bed linens, towels, a wine or China collection – whatever can fit inside is fair game. You could even use it as a mini closet, perhaps in a guest room!

If you think that adding a charming armoire to your home could never work, think again. Contact Paul Berg Design Associates for help with getting your space and storage up to par!

Airy Design – Floating Shelves Décor

Posted on by

There are no rules when it comes to arranging floating shelves. They can be adorned just as much or as little as you’d like. If you get frustrated with cluttered coffee tables and other surfaces, a floating shelf feature at home could be the perfect solution for displaying things without a messy look. Here are some ideas for making your floating shelves stand out:

  • Do you prefer a precise and tidy look? Arranging items on floating shelves by color or stacking books on their side instead of straight up can add visual interest. Books can also lean on shelves without being completely vertical or horizontal.
  • Don’t think that shelves are just for books. Paintings, framed photos, a cherished collection, trophies and even accessories that you can’t quite seem to fit anywhere else can make their home here.
  • Balance is key. Without it, your shelves run the risk of looking either too cluttered or too bare. For example, if you’re displaying a few small items, don’t group them all together. Place some on either side of your floating shelves in opposing spaces.
  • Will your floating shelve be an area that the family has to access often? If so, place heavier items on the lower shelves, so they’re easier to reach. Lighter items can be safely placed up top.

Another way to create balance is with a specific theme or color. In this room I designed, we incorporated plenty of warm earth tones in the mix. Spreading them out adds symmetry to the floating shelves, not to mention the entire room. This is harmony at its best!

You can also take advantage of shape. In the room above, notice how the left shelf houses a long, slim vase that fits the opening perfectly. Even if your tall and short items don’t seem to make sense together, they will once they’re dispersed. It all goes back to balance!

If you think floating shelves would work wonders for your home, Paula Berg Design Associates would love to work with you. Contact one of our studios in Park City or Scottsdale today!

Designing Kitchen Layouts

Posted on by

The kitchen has long been a secluded space. But these days, homeowners want to prepare meals and mingle openly without feeling confined. As such, open-concept kitchens are in high demand. If some privacy is still a must, you’ll be surprised that even the most open kitchens can still leave something to the imagination.

This kitchen is shown twice from different angles. Even if entertaining is a priority, that doesn’t mean you want your kitchen mess on display. And perhaps you don’t want the aroma of your meals to linger long after everyone’s eaten. This kitchen achieves openness, while still managing to hide behind a clever passageway.

This warm and cozy kitchen is all about the island. There’s plenty of counter space to serve goodies, but did you also notice there’s no seating? Guests will get the picture — grab some grub and keep moving.

How about masking just part of the kitchen with a half wall? Here, you can see the living room on the left along with a partial dividing wall. The sink and range are out of view, so guests won’t see you rushing to get the hors d’oeuvres and drinks ready. Still, it’s open enough that if anyone needs help, you’re still easily accessible.

Some think that a closed-concept kitchen is too isolated and doesn’t allow easy access to the main dining area. This diner-style kitchen demonstrates the exact opposite. Much like a trendy cafe, this kitchen is perfect for interacting with friends while whipping up meals.

What’s great about this kitchen is that it combines the concept of open and closed on the sly. The island in the middle creates an illusion of separatism. The host’s space is to the left, while the guests can gather to the right. Although everyone can easily mingle all over the kitchen, the island helps to keep both parties in their own zones.

Which kitchen concept is right for you? It’s all about you and your family’s needs. Paula Berg Design Associates would be happy to help you design your future kitchen.

Paula Berg Design Associates Featured in Western Art & Architecture

Posted on by

I was absolutely thrilled to be featured in Western Art & Architecture magazine. Celebrating everything “from cowboy to contemporary,” this magazine is the definitive source for Western design inspiration and ideas.

Western Art & Architecture editor Eliza Cross devised a fantastic piece that beautifully articulates my design background and the history of my firm. The article highlights how, despite the numerous awards and success of my firm, I maintain a client-centric approach by remaining the lead designer and meeting each client in person. I love this part of my job, not only because it allows me to truly get to know my clients and see them in their natural surroundings, but it also gives me the opportunity to travel extensively.

When Eliza asked me how I was able to accomplish everything, I explained that my strong team is very selective about the clients and projects we take on. Eliza also mentioned the high level of trust I share with my clients. In fact, I was asked to design one of my client’s final resting places as a result.

The article then goes back to the beginning by recounting my experiences as a concert organist and Pan Am flight attendant before attending Ohio University and studying abroad in Europe. From there, I completed Georgia State University’s graduate program in interior design. My experiences hosting a radio program on design and running an interior design boutique eventually culminated into my very own design firm.

Finally, Eliza shares, in detail, how I navigate the design process with my clients by talking and listening and creating hand-drawn renderings to illustrate my visions and ideas. My client-centric approach explains why my designs are so diverse, as I base them on their geographic region and personal aesthetic and lifestyle.

Read the whole piece by Eliza Cross in Western Art & Architecture online. Contact Paula Berg Design Associates in Scottsdale and Park City for more information about my services and design work.

Vendor Spotlight: Hammerton

Posted on by

Beautiful interiors are best shown off with a series of custom light fixtures. This was my motto for many of the projects I designed involving unique chandeliers. Traditionally, light fixtures have been viewed as functional objects, but are now playing a bigger design role in creative ventures. Therefore, I decided to shine some light on Hammerton, one of the largest custom residential lighting manufacturers in theUnited States.

Based in Salt Lake City,Utah, Hammerton was founded in 1995 by Levi Wilson. Since then, the company has grown tremendously in the design world. Best known for their custom services, Hammerton has gained national recognition for creating exquisitely designed light fixtures entirely from scratch, as well as with customer-specified materials, such as rawhide and textured glass.

Source: Hammerton

From classic to contemporary and western to urban, Hammerton carries a range of collections with both indoor and outdoor products. Designers can find frontier elegance in their Log & Timber Collection or sophisticated city influences in their Contemporary Collection. But best of all, every sconce and ceiling light is finished with hand-applied paints and decorative finishes.

Paula Berg Design Associates

Here’s one of my interior designs featuring a truly magnificent light fixture by Hammerton. I designed the chandelier and had Hammerton custom make and manufacture the piece for a contemporary mountain home. The mica used in the fixture really makes the chandelier glow in an understated way. Additionally, the energy exuding from the fixture is both eye-catching and dynamic, serving as the perfect focal point for this rustic yet modern interior.

Visit the Hammerton website to view more of their beautiful fixtures, and be sure to check out Hammerton’s blog, The Spark, as well. And if you’ve had a piece by Hammerton installed in your home, leave a comment to let us know about it. We would love to hear how you’ve incorporated one of their gorgeous designs into your space.

If you are in need of assistance designing a new home or remodeling your current space, let my team and I help you achieve the look you’re dreaming of. Contact Paula Berg Design Associates in Park City or Scottsdale to schedule a design consultation.

Unique Materials for Fireplace Mantels

Posted on by

The fireplace mantel is an important surface within the home where families often place their photos on display. It’s also a natural focal point that the human eye can’t help but take a look at. But when the mantel itself is a work of art, there’s little to no need for predictable extras.

The fireplace is an obvious location to install stone in the home. Together, fire and stone create a harmonious, warm and classic atmosphere. It’s also the perfect focal point during the rough winter season. This cozy living space is a great spot to catch up with friends over coffee.

Over-accessorizing the mantel is a mistake you’ll want to avoid. Too many knick knacks will create a feeling of clutter, which is not relaxing. A simple pairing of large urns on either side here is more than sufficient. After all, the floor-to-ceiling stacked stonework is what’ll really catch everyone’s attention. Even so, the mantel doesn’t feel unfinished or bare – there’s a happy balance.

A mantel with a metallic finish like this one needs no further adornment. Some people may think that a bare mantel needs a predictable vase or picture frame, but that’s not always the case. The combination of rugged stone, metal and tile here will give you plenty to admire. Materials like these are perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind mountain-style home design.

For centuries, natural stone has been trusted and admired for its strength, durability and longevity. But we can’t forget the beautiful masterpieces that can be created. This natural stone fireplace mantel looks perfect just a few feet away from a peaceful, inspiring and equally natural view.

This rare wood piece above the fireplace is surely a sight to see. It’s not your traditional mantel, which makes it a distinctive and unique feature in this home.

These rooms are so inviting, don’t you think? Paul Berg Design Associates would love to design a custom fireplace mantel that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Contact us to find out how our team of design experts can bring out the best in your home!