It is a common misconception that modern design is not cozy. The clean lines and simplistic design do not have to seem so cold if given the right amount of attention. In modern design, it is the textiles and accessories used that will bring out the warmth in a room. The simplistic design allows for one to pick textiles that are appropriate for their family and home. The textiles used have a huge impact on the “cozy warmth” of a room. For example, when picking a textile for the main sofa, if you are concerned with the room feeling too cold, it might be a good idea to go for a softer, more rich fabric. Making a room feel cozy depends not only on the visual expression, but also the physical; the touch and feel of different pieces in the room can either add or take away from that cozy feeling you’re looking for. Rough, thin textiles can make a room feel very uptight and restrictive, which will in the end make a modern room feel “cold.” When in actuality, modern design can be brought out in a very warm way. The benefit of the clean lines is the wide opportunity for accessorizing–pillows, throws, artwork, pottery, lighting etc. Without any major conflicting edges or lines, modern design can handle a variety of different accent pieces. Picking the right accessories depends largely on color. Warm tones, such as reds, oranges, yellows, and neutrals, can instantly add warmth to any design. Colors can be added in many different ways; through paint, carpets, art, and accessories. When picking a color for a design, it is always important to look at all of the pieces together. It is not necessarily the goal to have every color match, as that would become visually boring, but it is important that the colors compliment each other–whether it be because they are within the same color scheme, or contrast nicely to showcase interesting focal points.

Above design by Shirry of A.S.D. Interiors

Simply put, modern design can be just as cozy as any other style of design. The key is to pay attention to the color and texture of fabric and accessories. We are accustomed to perceive a cozy home as a traditional style, hardwood floor, white molding, brick fireplace kind of design. Today, we have so many different styles of design available to us, it would be a shame to continue these preconceived perceptions of what design is cozy versus another design being cold. The outcome of a room is completely dependant on the designer and homeowner. Every style of design can achieve any kind of feeling.

With winter approaching, deep rich colors are emerging in design. This season blue is dominating the industry. Blues ranging from royal to navy are being seen in a variety of products such as paints, textiles, and accessories. Even with the chilly weather outside, these blues are far from icy. Rich blue tones are both relaxing and, although a “cool color,” can create a very cozy environment. For example,

Crate and Barrel’s Lago Table Lamp is a great way to add quick color to a space. Its rich blue tone is perfect for this month’s color trend.

Going Further, these rich blues make fantastic wall colors. This season, navy has become a very popular choice.

Midnight Navy by Benjamin Moore

It’s easy to add a touch of color to a space without making drastic or expensive changes. Anything from a new table lamp, a new coat of paint, or a new area rug can create a big difference. These beautiful blues are a fantastic touch to any home, and can live through any season.

It is easy to put in a lot of money when designing a room. Custom furniture and imported artwork can create a beautiful space, but is not entirely necessary. Bargain hunting can be both fun and rewarding. Finding the perfect treasure at a flea market can keep your budget happy while still providing the look and feel you want. In Los Angeles, we are surrounded by great flea markets. The Rose Bowl Flea Market, open the second sunday of every month, is a fantastic place to look for unique finds. Having been open for over 40 years and with over 2,500 vendors, you’re bound to find something!

Bargain hunting is not limited to flea markets. Vintage stores are also a great way to find a good deal on beautiful items. With vintage stores, it may take time to discover which ones are fairly priced, and which are more of a collectors boutique. This just takes time, and getting to know the local stores in your area. Antiques add character to your design, but it can be difficult to find a good vintage store stocked with furniture. To solve this, antiques can often be found at garage sales and swap meets. One of a kind pieces are worth the effort, and saving money is just a bonus.

Rose Bowl Flea Market

This month, we have a stylish sofa for an affordable price. Modern style does not always have to come with a high cost, especially as more companies try to make their products attractive to the budget-conscious buyer. Here, we have a Westwood sofa with clean lines and beautiful button details. Its square shape allows it to fit within many styles of design, including mid-century modern and regency. The button details give the sofa an art deco feel, combining chic pattern with simplistic design. The fabric is stain resistent, making this piece a perfect choice for families seeking durable style for their busy lives. But even with its beautiful structure, the most attractive aspect to this sofa is its low price. All of Westwood’s style, detail, and design for under $1,000.

Westwood 87″ Sofa
$999.00

With winter just around the corner, there’s no better time to create the cozy retreat you’ve always dreamed of. After a long day in the cold, a warm and inviting bedroom is the best place to end your day. When designing a master retreat with the winter in mind, think of using warm tones and plush fabrics. Layers of colors and textures will give the space a comforting depth. Cold winter days leave us wanting a nice warm place to curl up with a book, so a chaise lounge or armchair with a soft fabric and an inviting light above it is a must. A warm area rug will rescue you from any flooring that may get cold in the middle of the night, and an extra blanket folded at the foot of the bed will not only add an accent of color, but be practical for those particularly chilly nights.

This Axis Right Arm Chaise Crate & Barrel is a perfect example of how one item can create the retreat feeling.

With these tips and many stores beginning their fall sales, there has never been a better time to get ready for the winter and create your warm getaway!

Today, we have a newfound interest in recyclable and renewable resources. Society is trying to minimize our “footprint” by using eco-friendly products; this is no different in the world of design. Interior design is an easy way to take the first step to living a green, low energy lifestyle. With many recycled products now available in many mainstream furniture and hardware stores, change is easier than ever. But if replacing your appliances with low-energy equivalents and installing energy efficient windows seems a bit out of reach at the moment, an easy baby step into an eco-friendly design is through accessories. From the coasters on your coffee table, to the artwork over your fire place, there are many green alternatives to our every day accents.

A change you will hardly notice is switching out your tableware for recycled glass tableware. There are many available recycled options out there, one we found interesting were the Recycled Glass Drinkware from West Elm.

For an interesting art piece to start off a conversation, try a recycled glass sculpture. This could range from a piece made of used bottles, sea glass, or manufactured with recycled glass materials. A good example is the Recycled Glass Head from Pier 1 Imports.

Glass is not the only material we see in eco-friendly design, which is clearly shown in this unique Recycled Newspaper Vase from Target.

As you can see, taking steps toward living a green lifestyle do not have to overwhelm or break the bank. There are simple, easy changes we can all make that in the end will show a huge difference. It would be nice to see every home transform into an energy efficient, eco-friendly structure, but any step taken, no matter how minimal, is a good one.

Working from home is a smart financial move as it saves not only the price of outside office space, but also gas and car maintenance required to use a car to commute each day. If you are capable of making the move to a home office, there are a few things you should consider. Many people see dedicating a room as an office as losing valuable space for guests. If you are dealing with a small floorplan there are still ways to create a multipurpose space. For example, desks do not have to be an eyesore when clutered with paper work. To avoid this, a secretary desk can be used to double as not only a desk, but also a storage unit. The “Graham Smart Technology Secretary” desk from Pottery Barn is a perfect example about how function meets practicality and design.

With the pull down desktop open, this piece offers a fair amount of workspace and shelving; closed, it is a charming hutch that neatly stores all books and office supplies out of site while using very little floor space.

In order to avoid sacrificing guest space, even small rooms can provide sleeping arrangements while maintaining the feeling of a home office. Crate & Barrel’s “Willow Twin Sleeper” shows how a great side chair can also offer a comfortable place to accomodate a guest.

With even just these two additions, a small space can provide for both a home office and a spacious guest room. The key is to allow for both aspects of the room to hold its own while the other is tucked away. In this example, if the room is being used as an office, there is a comfortable side chair available for breaks and quiet reading; when the room is being used as a guest room, the desk will fold away and transform into a beautiful nightstand. A home office does not have to feel like wasted space in your home. Multipurpose space utilizes both function and style. There is always a way to create an inviting environment for guests while maintaining an orderly work space.

Gray tones are some of the most versatile colors out there. With endless color options used to create gray, there will always be a tone that will satisfy what you’re looking for. The color gray describes the entire neutral range between white and black. This includes every tint and shade imaginable. Grays can be produced using purely white and black, or by mixing complimentary colors. The use of complimentary colors can make the gray warm or cool, enabling it to enhance a color when placed next to it. For example, if you are decorating a room with a focus on reds, a warm gray accent on a throw pillow or side chair can actually bring out the tone of the focus color. Warm grays are often referred to as shades of taupe. The range of color under the umbrella of gray is remarkable.

As with any form of design, trends flow through every season. Color is one of the most noticeable of these many changes time witnesses each year. This month, we’ve noticed the color plum making a prominent appearance. This rich purple is inviting and charming, as it can compliment all styles of interior design. In modern spaces, we see it making bold accents against stark whites; while in more traditional spaces, plum can warm up a room through an accent chair and throw pillow. Deep purple tones are associated with royalty and exclusivity because of its original rarity and expensive nature. This rich purple color was discovered before Roman times through the use of harvesting and treating of a sea snail known as a mollusk. This tedious task provided very little dye, making the color very difficult and expensive to produce. Thus, deep purple tones were seen only amongst the noble. This recognition has spread throughout various cultures over the centuries, and stayed with us as a sign of wealth and good fortune. Maybe we’re looking to it now as a blissful escape from the economic times we’re faced with. Regardless of the reasoning, plum is a beautiful color with an intriguing history that can liven up any space.

Crate & Barrel’s “Tux Leather Chair” in Notting Hill: Amethyst

Tiles are the perfect way to bring plum into a bathroom or kitchen.

“Dark Heather” Glass Tile from Ann Sacks

If you want to create your own styles using the color of the month, we suggest Innovation’s Luxe Suede in Madeira.