Gunkelmans Interior Design Blog

Keeping up with the world economy takes some risk.  I feel the time is right for home and condo owners to upgrade and freshen up your property.  Workrooms, artisans, furniture builders, etc. now have the time and availability to give you better quality at good prices for their work.  Even though the economy is weak, there are signs of it getting better and this will put you ahead of the curve so when it turns around you have maintained the value if not increased it creating a win-win for that person who thinks ahead.

Submitted By: Tom Gunkelman

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to make a change to your home is with paint.

Walls – These walls show different finishes and colors of paint to create pattern and texture

A subtle harlequin pattern with flat and glossy enamel finishes

Two colors create a horizontal stripe

Painted stripes and polka-dots add to this Jack-and-Jill bathroom

Floor – Paint can add an interesting dimension to the floor.

Painted white enamel floor

Painted Rug

The subtle painted diamond pattern adds dimension to this Porch floor

Furniture – Paint can change the look of an old piece of furniture or a place for some added color.

Painted coffee table

Subtle green lacquered Dining Table

submitted by: Karen McKay

Kidding!  I'm not that old yet and some days, I don't feel so "sage-like".

But I have been pondering Marita's exciting struggle to create a special space for herself and her husband (almost!).(Refer to gf blog Feb. 24, 2009.)  Think about it for a minute.  She is faced with not only trying to really define her own style, but to consider her husband's style and comfort and express THEIR style, all this while working at a top-notch design firm.   No pressure, Marita!
 

I remember my first attempts vividly.

Having grown up in a traditional well-appointed home, one would have thought I would follow that path.   And I did, for awhile.   When I graduated from college, I chose a third floor apartment in a lovely ivy-covered brick building with shutters and a tree-lined street.   It had creamy white walls (a little too pink), gleaming wood floors (a bit too much yellow) and a small galley kitchen with waxed black and white checked vinyl tile floors (just right!).

The process began with the gift of a sofa to be selected with my Mother's decorator!  I am sure I drove her nuts.   She showed me smart solid color epingle sofas; my heart was set on a bright yellow and green abstract floral linen.   From the moment that decision was made, I was HOOKED.   I ran home after work each night and spent my weekends devoted to making my apartment a home for MY eyes.

Without benefit of great sources like PB, web-sites or Domino magazine, my home emerged. 

I scavenged my childhood home (typical Provencal-styled desk.  I painted the gold tooling lines out), my nana's home (dark brown Lloyd loom wicker chair- painted white with added Marimekko pillow).   I added a white shag carpeting remnant and a bookcase made out of white-painted bricks and clear coat wood boards.   "Found" treasures included a lucite cocktail table from an antique store and a mirror from an estate sale.   An artist friend painted a water color abstract in my chosen colors and a few more.   Oh, and a farm table with Danish modern chairs and a great textile on the wall.   My space, anchored by the brightly patterned sofa, became a place for me to read, write and entertain my friends.   There were wonderful evenings of music, my first culinary experiments, laughter, stories and cheap wine.

When I think about it, that first "home" set some of the tenets of my style that remain today.   So I say…

• splurge on a good sofa and two fine accessories that make your heart sing
• dare to use color and lots of white
• let some space just be space
• use natural, beautiful fabrics
• instill a sense of personal history
• decide what is important to have around you (for me; books, music, candles, silver)
• share your home with friends and family

And the final bit of advice, seek help from a friendly designer!  Happy hunting, Marita!

Submitted by Mary Hickey