Author: nataliya

interior designer, dreamer, nature lover, wife. my goal is not to just transform spaces, but to also transform lives. (photo credit: VIE Magazine *I did not take this photo, but I did participate on this project)

ID gone global: Curio Design Studio

Many people have the idea that hiring an interior designer is “a luxury”, and can be very expensive and/or time-consuming. Well, imagine a revolutionary approach to the process – where you meet with the designer through email or Skype, at your convenience, and get a custom design package sent directly to your inbox – and it doesn’t break the bank at all!

Does this sound like your cup of tea? Well look no further, Curio Design Studio offers clients just that – and more!

Launched by my friend and fellow MSU Interior Design Alum, Allison Harlow Clark, Curio Design Studio was born on the idea that great design has no limits, and should be easily accessible to all, no matter what your schedule or budget may be. When Allison moved to Norway last year, she was no longer able to work as an Interior Designer in the traditional sense. By offering interior design services delivered 100% online, she found a way to do what she loves from abroad while meeting the needs of the ever-changing market. Her pricing is super reasonable (compare to thousands you could pay for an on location designer), and the turnaround time is just days.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not!

1) Check out a project example below

2) I can personally vouch for this girl – she has a great sense of style, an outstanding work ethic, and an extraordinary eye for design.

I did a little Q & A sesh with Allison to learn a little more about her new endeavor:

Vim & Vintage: When did you know you wanted to do interior design? Who or what influences and inspires you?

Allison Harlow Clark: I think I always knew I wanted to do something creative. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I decided Interior Design was something I really wanted to pursue. I am influenced by a lot of things. History has always been my favorite subject so I think that drives my interest in vintage pieces. Another huge inspiration to me is travel. I have been really fortunate to get to see a lot of different places, and I always try to take a little piece of it with me and infuse it into my design style. As far as designers that influence, I am basically obsessed with Jonathan Adler.

V&V: How would you describe your personal design style?

AC: Eclectic Chic. I love mixing old and new and repurposing vintage furniture. I also really like mixing pattern and texture to create interest and focal point. Matching is not always key but coordinating is essential! Repeating shapes or colors helps achieve this without having an exact match.

V&V: How did you get the name Curio Design Studio? What sets your company apart from others that offer online design services?

AC: I came up with the name Curio Design Studio from my love of vintage and found objects that tell a story. A curio is defined as: a small article valued as a collector’s item, especially something fascinating or unusual. There are a few things that set us apart from other online designers. First off, we focus solely on E-design services as our priority so we will not be distracted by the demanding needs of traditional ID clients. Secondly, we focus on supporting local and small businesses with our specifications. We are in the process of developing our own network of small businesses and custom artisans who will offer discounts to clients of Curio Design Studio. This unique partnership allows us to offer customized, vintage and one of kind objects in our proposals, providing truly personalized e-design experience.

V&V: What’s the best part of living in Europe? Are there any down sides?!?

AC: There are lots of amazing things about living overseas. Top 3 are probably : 1. Being able to meet people who have a completely different perspective on life than you. 2. The ease of getting around to visit all the places you want to see in life… when else can you go to Paris for the weekend?! 3. Finding inspiration in everything because each day is a new experience. As with anything there are downsides, but you just try not to focus on them. I would say the hardest part is being away from friends and family back in the States.

V&V: Any advice to those young entrepreneurs out there that are thinking about going after a dream?

AC: Just go for it! With all the tweets, posts, shares, likes, and pins it is WAY easier than ever to get your ideas out there. You never know how successful you can be until you try. My motto is: you are better off to try and fail, than to regret never trying at all.

Congrats on your new venture Ally! For more information on Curio’s services and design packages, please visit their website. (Also don’t forget to pay a visit to their blog and Facebook page! )

How to select interior materials like a pro!

Spring is right around the corner and maybe you’re planning on remodeling, or building a new home… Many people find making material selections one of the hardest things to do. Why? Because there are so many options, styles, and colors that it can be overwhelming. You may be thinking “Where do I even begin??”

Break it down and it can be quite simple:

Step 1: Finding what inspires you.

It all starts here. Have you always wanted to have a vessel sink? Or have you been coveting hardwood floors for years but have never had them? Now’s the time to have your cake and eat it to. Chances are (unless your day job is flipping homes) you probably aren’t going to be doing this process again for many years. Flip through magazines or go on Pinterest and gather ideas. This is the best way to determine what look you are going for.

Step 2: Exploring your options

Now that you have some idea of what your looking for, it’s time to get out there and see your options. Visit building stores and showrooms. This does not mean buying things on impulse! Make a list of the items you are interested in, then use Step 3 to see which ones pass the test. If you are working with a designer, make sure to tell them what you like and don’t like, and what your goals are for each space. (Even though we are able to come up with great concepts, we are NOT able to read minds 🙂 )

Step 3: Deciding what works best for you and your family

Shopping for home products can be a lot like going to get a puppy – we choose something because “it’s just sooooo cute” but then don’t think about how it will age, and how taking care of it fits into your lifestyle. Building materials are like dogs – different material “breeds” have different characteristics. For example, polished floors can be a slip hazard, and may not be something that works for your family if you have small children. Having pets, young children, elderly family members, or other special circumstances should be taken into consideration. Look at your activities and traffic patterns. Think about the longterm maintenance, efficiency, and sustainability. Be creative, but do your homework.

Step 4: Putting it all together

By this point you have probably chosen a few different materials, but it may feel boring or like they don’t all fuse together. If you haven’t already decided on a color scheme, do so now. (Check out Design Seeds from my previous post for help on choosing a palette). For the building materials, it is best to choose a neutral (like white, beige, brown, grey, etc) as the dominant color in the space, with pops of color for the accents (like green, yellow, orange, blue, etc).

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I was in a similar situation the other day that inspired this post. The designer I assist was out-of-town this past week, and I had to meet with a client who was trying to decide on selections for one of her guest baths. Here’s what she had chosen:

Problem: In this case there the floor and countertop are both cream/beige, but the shower tile is stark white. And then there’s the green wall. How can these colors work harmoniously together without clashing?

Solution: By choosing an accent mosaic tile that has all the colors in it, color story is united.

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DO’s & DONT’s

-Do take the time to plan a budget before taking on the project.

-Don’t go overboard on color or pattern. These things can date themselves quickly. Leave the majority of the color pops for the paint, accents, or accessories, as these items can be easily swapped out with trends over time.

-Do have a good contrast between materials. If all the colors fall into the same color, it could clash or end up looking dingy. (Exception to the rule: clean crisp white – you can never have too much)

-Don’t get stressed out and choose items just to “get it over with”. Remember this decision is something you will live with for many years so make sure you do it right! 🙂

Oscars: my best dressed list + inside this year’s greenroom

Here are my favorite looks this year (in no particular order):

I am not very fond of Angelina Jolie (TEAM JEN!!!) but I have to say she killed it. (Side note: yes we understand you have a leg. And your repeated stance was a little bit of overkill throughout the night, don’t you think?)

Dress Designer: Atelier Versace

(Photo Courtesy of: WireImage)

Maria Menounos looks gorgeous! I love the color of the dress, her hair looked great…so well put together.

Dress Designer: Maria Lucia Hoha

(Photo courtesy of: WireImage)

Simple lines, big statement. Kudos to Emma Stone on this dress.

Dress Designer: Giambattista Valli Couture

(Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

Who was your favorite Red Carpet look this year?

Now I’m going to take you backstage to Architectural Digest’s Greenroom.

What is the greenroom you may ask? Well it’s a VIP room put together each year where presenters and honorees can lounge. Designed by Waldo Fernandez, this year’s greenroom was inspired by glamour of legendary Hollywood in the 30’s-40’s.

Quite lovely don’tcha think?

hill country modern

Welcome to this upscale home, located up the road from me in Wimberly, Texas. Designed by Cunningham Architects out of Dallas, this modern treasure is as beautiful as it is energy efficient. Among the green building principles are use of local materials and harvesting rainwater on the rooftop.

“Nestled on the edge of a bluff in the Texas hill country, the Wimberley residence quietly sits among the brush and trees, providing a peaceful respite for its inhabitants.” – Cunningham Architects

“An “L” plan effectively separates the bedroom wing from the more public kitchen/living/dining room wing. As such, the house essentially is two discrete boxes, one of glass, and the other of stained cement fiber board, indicative of their respective functions.” – Cunningham Architects

A few pictures of the interior!

Don’t forget about the rooftop patio. Ballin!

I can already picture the rediculous pool parties that would happen here.

When can I move in???? 🙂

(Picture sources: Cunningham Architects website, and also on this link)

color story: winter white

White is pretty much my all time favorite color. It’s fresh. Classic. Refreshing.

The myth that white is just for summer or the beach has officially been busted!! As we cross our fingers today for Punxsutawney Phil not to see his shadow, why not look at the beautiful white that can be found during this time of year? Here’s some pictures to inspire you!

Maybe it’s because it’s been almost 4 years since I lived in the snowy tundra, but images like this just make me happy. So pretty to look at (but I sure don’t miss shoveling it!).