Tag Archives: luxury mountain home design Utah

Warm Up Your Home with Rustic Wood Walls

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When you imagine a room decked out with wood paneled walls, do you envision an outdated ‘70s space?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 Light Fixtures Add Rustic Charm to Mountain Homes

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Light fixtures in living rooms and dining rooms should go beyond simply achieving the perfect balance of task, ambient and accent lighting. They should work overtime to create focal points and enhance the overall design through rich textures, interesting details and architectural appeal.

When it comes to designing luxury mountain homes — one of my specialties — I always try to find or commission one-of-a-kind rustic fixtures that elevate the space and make a statement through rugged materials, unique shapes and awe-inspiring craftsmanship to bring the outdoors in.

I absolutely love the double-tier rawhide and steel chandelier I used for this luxurious log cabin. The silhouette is so elegant, but the materials still ensure a truly rustic look. Gorgeous details can be found throughout the fixture in the form of a leaf and branch motif.

I knew as soon as I saw this antler chandelier that it would be the perfect centerpiece for a cozy living room. The artfully arranged antlers add stunning sculptural interest, and the rustic design expands to the shades, which feature delicate landscape etchings.

Thanks to soaring ceilings and the clients’ request for an authentic, rustic home, I was able to go all out with the light fixture in this grandeur dining room. I had a chandelier custom-made to feature an evergreen scene that would complement the natural log columns, while doubling as a work of art.

This stunning dining area needed a light fixture that was equally sophisticated, while also subtly continuing the rustic theme. I was able to achieve both with this seemingly traditional chandelier with intricate leaf embellishments.

I chose this dramatic chandelier because of the way it contrasts with the warm woods, while echoing the copper and steel hearth surround in this rustic dining room. I also love the way the individual lanterns add an Old World feel to complete the look.

To see more of my luxury home design work, browse the gallery on my website. When you’re ready to discuss a potential home design project, contact Paula Berg Design Associates online or call 435.655.9443 (Park City) or 480.998.2344 (Scottsdale).

 

Add a Touch of Drama with High Cathedral Ceilings

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Some people may look at a high cathedral ceiling as a design dilemma. It may seem like the highest point is miles away, but the trick is to incorporate a variety of elements to help keep the space feeling homey and comfortable. Below are some of my mountain designs that feature high ceilings as stunning focal points.

There aren’t many features that add structure to a room quite like exposed trusses. A natural touch of architecture, complete with arches and horizontal beams, really brings this mountainous living space to life.

Breaking up decor elements here is just one of many techniques that add visual interest. The stone fireplace, along with the various windows, all combine to make this room look even more handsome. The blending of materials here — wood and stone — doesn’t hurt, either. Both are natural and complement each other well, but each also does a dynamite job of standing on its own.

A high cathedral ceiling might make you feel small, as if you’re being swallowed up by a massive space. But making sure there are plenty of things to keep you busy is the key. This open living space will keep any family occupied with plenty of seating, a warm fireplace to gather around and a scenic view. Plus, the kitchen is only a few steps away.

Are you afraid of a cathedral ceiling that seems like it’s a million miles away? Go dark! When the ceiling is outfitted in a shade that’s darker than the rest of the room, it can take away from the perceived feeling of too much distance or depth. This dark ceiling also does a fabulous job of creating a special zone, highlighting the kitchen as a unique space within the house.

Another way to avoid the feeling of a giant gaping space up above is to add some element of sculpture or art. This unique lighting fixture, with its warm glow, adds drama and really ties this dramatic room together nicely.

Here at Paula Berg Design Associates, my team and I have the ability to create the luxurious mountain-style interiors you crave. Contact us today to learn more about our interior design services in Park City and Scottsdale.

Keep a Fire Roaring with Beautiful Wood Storage

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The fireplace is one of the most popular elements in contemporary mountain homes, so I always approach this feature with style and function in mind. This includes incorporating wood storage in ways that add aesthetic appeal to the home. Few treasure the thought of going into a garage or braving the cold weather to bring logs in throughout the day. Ample indoor storage is a practical solution for keeping wood logs conveniently close and dry.

This design shows one way a storage space for wood can be attractively integrated with the surrounding architecture. The vaulted ceiling and vastness of this living area requires a fireplace and mantel visually strong enough to hold its own. For this purpose, I used natural cut stone and an extra-large, rough-hewn log for the mantel. Furthermore, built-in storage for firewood on each side of the mantel creates design symmetry to balance out the design.

Texture is a design aspect that’s as important as color. One thing I love about designing wood storage spaces is that it offers a unique chance to add interesting texture. Briefly try to visualize how a stone fireplace would look without a place for log storage. You’ll likely find your mind adding a niche on each side of the fireplace to visually balance the log mantel. Creating balance and interest is how wood storage helps this room’s aesthetic appeal. The sense of depth the storage adds and the change in texture from the stone to the logs anchors the lower half of the stone wall and fireplace. Without this feature, the top half would feel unsupported and this majestic room’s contemporary rustic appeal would feel a bit lacking.

For the best in contemporary mountain design, look to Paula Berg Design Associates in Park City, UT and Scottsdale, AZ. Contact us today to learn more about our expert services.

Create a Cozy Bedroom Seating Area

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Cozy seating areas give master bedrooms a suite-like, cozy ambience similar to a five-star retreat. Even if the seating area is rarely used, it softens the space and creates a more relaxing atmosphere. Here are a few examples of how I’ve used simple seating arrangements to enhance bedroom designs.

A fireplace makes any room extra cozy. Adding chairs enhances this warm, cozy feeling even more. Here, I placed a stuffed chair with an ottoman in front of the fireplace, making sure not to obstruct the view from the bed. This chair offers a place for relaxing with a good book before retiring for the evening.

In this room, we added an over-sized chair and ottoman and angled them towards the bed rather than the fire. The fireplace is still in view from the chair, but this arrangement allows easy conversation between someone seated and someone relaxing on the bed. This arrangement also creates a graceful curve, increasing the room’s aesthetic appeal.

I used a small but comfortable chair to add a flexible seating option to this small space. The pale yellow-green upholstery connects with the bedding and curtain to create a balanced design. A padded bench at the foot of the bed provides elegance, as well as additional seating for slipping into shoes or slippers in the morning.

This room’s scenic view entices its occupants to linger. In the corner opposite the bed, I created a small conversation area using two stuffed chairs and an oversized decorative lamp. The resulting area is perfect for enjoying a beverage, having a quiet conversation, or spending some time reading and enjoying the view.

This built-in window seat is like a pillow-laden nest, ideal for taking breaks away from a busy modern life. I placed a chair in a corner space, illuminated by a larger lamp, to provide an extra place for reading or conversing. This arrangement is space saving and keeps the rest of the room open.

If your bedroom or entire home needs a fresh new style, let my interior design firm in Park City, UT and Scottsdale, AZ help you achieve your dream space. Contact us at Paula Berg Design Associates today for more information.

Unique Credenzas Add Interest to Formal Dining Areas

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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!

Bold Floral Prints for Your Luxury Home

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Spring is on the horizon and that can only mean one thing — floral prints! Many homeowners cringe at the thought of florals in the home, but these prints don’t have to be present in every nook and cranny of every room. In fact, we’d advise against that. However, there are many modern ways to bring the energy of florals into your home without making your design look dated.

This blue and white room screams coastal, nautical New England. It smartly showcases a fresh design technique that’s not easily approached, like mixing and matching floral prints. Although the colors are identical, there are a few different floral patterns co-mingling in this single space. The trick here is careful coordination, not outright duplication. Lastly, this seaside inspired space is proof that you can have a mountain style home with influence from other regions!

Here is a more understated example of how you can still pay homage to the floral patterns you so desperately crave. The window treatments, pillows and chairs all share the same print, but it’s not overwhelming given the totality of this large breakfast nook. If you’re worried about overpowering a room with too much color or pattern, err on the side of caution by using florals to accessorize here and there.

There are lots of other ways to incorporate bold floral patterns that’ll bring wonderful energy and vibrant colors to any space. Flower power can be achieved with everything from wallpaper, China and dinnerware to artwork, table linens and other accessories.

So, what’s your flower obsession? From romantic roses and tulips to funky sunflowers and dainty daisies, Paula Berg Design Associates can bring life, color and interest to your luxury mountain home. Contact one of our offices in Park City, UT or Scottsdale, AZ to speak with our team about your home’s design needs!