Playful Colors in a Modern San Diego Loft By Mia Rao Design

Mia Rao Design was founded in 2001 as a Chicago-based, full-service interior design firm dedicated to transforming residential and commercial interiors. Interior designer, Mia Rao creates livable modern and classic interior designs by drawing from the personal history and lifestyle of her clients. The objective for every design project by Mia Rao Design is to achieve well-balanced interiors that are both functional and unique.

It is easy to see that this is exactly what was done in the project bellow. Take in this stunning collection of photographs of this San Diego Loft that is an excellent representation of her firm and her fabulous work!

The vivid colors of the rug and couch create an upscale atmosphere in this loft living room.

The rich, dark colors of the bar stools contrast nicely against the kitchen island.

The glass doors with embedded bear-grass opens up to reveal the bedroom.

The graphic artwork complements the patterns of the Maharam textiles on the bed.

The wall light art, arching blue ceiling, and graphic art in this loft entryway all come together to evoke an artistic and modern ambiance.

The colorful sleeper sofa adds a touch of softness to this modern home office.

The cobalt colored wall brings out the details in the paintings and color of the lacquered cabinets.

Let us know which of these designs or home accessories was your favorite in the comments section. To see more of Mia Rao Design’s gorgeous work, visit their portfolio here.

Stunning One of a Kind Living Rooms by Judith Balis Interiors

Judith Balis Interiors has been hard at work for the past 8 years creating stunning individualized living rooms for their clients. Judith is a Boise, Idaho-based Interior decorator who serves clients from Idaho all the way to New York. She believes that despite people’s budgets “EVERYONE deserves to live beautifully” and it is this same attitude that has won her the praise of her clients and fellow peers. Many online publications have featured her beautiful work, and her rooms have also been featured as “inspiration rooms” for national products such as Kirei Boards and Murals Your Way. She was also a winner in an episode of HGTV’s Show House/Show Down.

Each one of her rooms is not only beautifully decorated, but tell a story about their owners anfd their lifestyles. She has a knack for mixing the old with the new and making them feel like “new found treasures,” in a way she makes it possible to create completely redesigned rooms with a large range of budgets. Enjoy!

This elegant living room gets a bold makeover with hot pink Victorian style chairs, a black and white striped upholstered couch, and teal walls.

The true definition of Country Chic. A cozy and luxurious spot to lounge in next to a beautiful fireplace.

This design a winner in Show House/Show Down, and it comes as no surprise. There are so many intricate details in this wonderful space such as:  the chevron painted fireplace, the beautiful printed throws, the geometric rug, and lets not forget the deer horns.

Stylish white accents and small striped navy couches give this living room a Hamptons feel. The large windows are also a great addition to the space by creating radiant natural light and providing a stunning view as well.

Sometimes the difference between good and great design can come down to the accessories. These beautiful lamps are such a great way of adding visual interest to a room, without overpowering the space.

Like all of Judith’s rooms, this living room has some of the coolest details. The brick wall lends itself for a more industrial feel. Great steel pieces and crates stacked up to create a faux TV console also create a unique industrial vibe.

Sophisticated and Modern Interior Designs by Meridith Baer Home

For the past 15 years, Meridith Baer Home has been transforming dream homes from fantasy to reality by taking into account the stories of their clients’ lives. Founder of Meridith Baer Homes and a Los Angeles based interior designer, Meridith Baer also specializes in home staging and event interiors, including some projects for celebrities and billionaires. Meridith Baer Home’s work has been featured on notable publications such as New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times Magazine, and New York Times. As well as appearing on Home and Garden Television, ABC, NBC, and the Discovery Channel.

Find inspiration for your home’s next makeover or upcoming design project with these modern interior designs by the creative minds at Meridith Baer Home.

The clean architectural lines of this living room brings attention to the simplicity of sofas and coffee table.

The combination of modern chairs and side table mix well with the rustic wood ceiling and textured brick wall to create a cultural appeal.

The color palette of this living room is kept neutral to maintain a subtle modern and welcoming ambiance.

The texture of the rug, the sleek surface of the leather chairs, and the intricate detail of the mirrors balance each other to create a perfectly modern-styled room.

The wood bed frame and hardwood floor introduces an organic aspect to a modern-styled bedroom.

The industrial pendant lights are a wonderful addition to this modern dining room.

Which of these modern interior designs were your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below. To see more brilliant interior designs from Meridith Baer Home

11th Floor Apartment Transformation with Stunning South Beach View

Established in 1994, Forma Design has made a name for itself by entailing a unique set of architects and designers who are highly disciplined in their art. With each client project seen as a unique opportunity. Uniquely, Forma Design does not base their work on what is in style or trending in the design world at the time, but rather uses the client’s taste and molds it into something that translates into a beautiful interior. Enter this stunning South Beach retreat that is located on the 11th floor. With 1200 square feet of available space, Forma Design transformed this 1970′s-inspired condo into a modern refuge.

Right off South Beach, the apartment already had the exterior on lock.

White porcelain tile floor provides the ultimate contemporary oasis.

A beachside patio is the ultimate relaxation destination.

An all white dining room and track lighting combine to provide an ultra-modern ambiance.

A dash of color along with regal artwork provide comfort and style.

The stainless steel kitchen provides a clean slate for optimal cooking.

A textured shower and clean lines a modern look and feel.

This apartment was finally given the chance to match the spectacular view it provides. From the highest point, this apartment shines with the extravagant work of Forma Design.

What is Texture in Interior Design?

Home decor involves a number of different elements including color, balance and of course, texture. With so many different elements, it can be difficult even picking out home accessories and decor for fear of making a mistake. Fortunately, it’s easy to incorporate texture into your space, especially with home accessories. Here is the low down on what texture is and how it is used in interior design.

What is Texture?

What is Texture in Interior Design

The key thing to remember is that texture applies not only to how an item feels in your hands, but also how an item looks. If you take silk and hold it against linen, you can clearly see that both of these fabrics have different textures. These textures will affect the look of the furniture you apply them to, so it’s important to take note of these minor differences, no matter how insignificant they may seem. After all, the linen texture may be more visually appealing, but it may cause the upholstered furniture to look overwhelming visually, especially when the linen features certain vivid colors.

Texture allows you to add visual depth to a space. While it’s great to find all of the right items for any given space in your home, you may find yourself feeling as though things look a bit ‘bland.’ This may be because you have not quite incorporated enough texture into the space. If you’ve got smooth lacquered furniture paired with glass vases for table decor, you can see the items, but they don’t draw your eye in as much as a lacquered table with hammered metal bowls for table decor might.

How Do I Incorporate Texture Into My Space?

Incorporating texture into your home decor is easy, not because it already exists, but because once you realize you need to pay attention to it and that it’s actually already there in your space, it becomes easier to mix in. For example, let’s look at the living room.

In a living room space, you have a number of different furniture pieces: the sofa, perhaps some chairs, a coffee table, side tables and a media center. There may also be book shelves or other furniture used for storage. Each of these items have a different type of texture: the furniture is likely upholstered, your side tables or coffee tables are likely made from wood, but they could also be made from plastic or glass. Wood and upholstery are two different textures that add visual interest to the space.

Moving on to the other portions of the room, you’ll find that everything features texture: your table decor, your wall art and all of the other little home accessories that you use in your space. Once you realize what texture is and that it isn’t just about how an item feels, but how an item looks visually, you’ll find that it’s easy to incorporate into your space.

As a final tip, remember that with visual texture, items that are not clear with plenty of texture, such as a hammered metal bowl, have more visual weight than a bowl of equal size and shape made from glass or plastic. This is because the hammered metal features a different and more visual texture than the glass or plastic, which gives it more visual weight. Heavier textures tend to have more visual weight, so keep this in mind as you decorate. Too many heavy textures can make a space feel cluttered.

Texture is just one of the basic elements of interior design. Other elements include balance, harmony, rhythm, portion and scale, and all of these elements need to be combined together to create the right look for any given style of home decor.

Montauk Moroccan Style with Currey & Company

Moroccan style spaces have been a growing trend for quite a while, they can be seen everywhere  from swanky hotels to beautiful bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. This wonderful north African style is characterized by interesting shapes, great use of metals, lanterns, exotic materials and colors.  Currey and Company found a way to create beautiful Moroccan styles, with a  global appeal, by using everything from concrete to seashells.  Each piece of their Montauk Moroccan collection is timeless and reminds us of a rich culture.  While mostly traditional, these pieces are also modern enough to fit into our everyday living spaces, and we love that!

Come and check out some amazing Moroccan inspired rooms and Currey and Company’s stunning Montauk Moroccan collection.

Montauk Moroccan Style with Currey & Company

This stunning lobby used traditional Moroccan elements with a modern approach, a great way of mixing the old world with the new world.

This beautiful arabesque inspired pendant light is a great way of introducing a Moroccan flair to your living or dining room.

This calming and serene bedroom has many Moroccan elements such as: the beautiful arches, a large adorned mirror, white airy fabrics, and a concrete bed lift.

This gorgeous side table can instantly add an exotic and luxurious feel to any space.

Wonderful hanging lanterns of different shapes and colors are a staple in most Moroccan inspired spaces.

Intricate sea shell designs assembled by hand to create this gorgeous and extremely unique side table.

We hope you enjoyed these beautiful Moroccan inspired pieces and bedrooms! Which one inspired you the most? Comment below and make sure to check out the rest of Currey & Company’s stunning products.

A Mix of Opposites to Create Interior Greatness

Mixing and matching is always a risk. It can be a very intriguing risk as it can often add exciting elements to a room.  Mixing different elements together creates a very engaging and distinctive style to a room.  For example, try combining contemporary furniture in a traditional-styled room.  Combining the new with the old can create zest in your room by doing so.  Another way to “mix” is by adding bright furniture into a dark room or vice versa. The concept is to use contrasting styles, colors, and more.  Also, you could even mix based on texture, combining smooth with rough textures. For example, you might use carpet, which is a rough object, against granite, an opposing smooth object.  The rough texture colliding with the smooth texture will complement each other fittingly.  Opposites do attract each other in interior design when done correctly. There are endless ways to creatively decorate a room by mixing opposites and provide your interior with a unique ambiance and feel.

In this dining room, the traditional patterned wallpaper is mixed with an indulging modern bright aqua color and mid-century modern dining set.

This bedroom mixes together dark colored walls with a bright centered bed.

A beautiful transitional style sofa complements a gorgeous modern coffee table.

The black color furniture significantly distinguishes itself from the white walls.

This dining room has a mixture of a rustic rough red brick wall going against a soft textured white glossy table.