Add color to your life with Forever Blue

Blue has forever been a human's favorite color. On average, people prefer blue over any other color.

It can be soothing or bold, but across the board it is aesthetically pleasing.  Blue gives you a sense of calmness and serenity.

And for that reason we love integrating blue into our interior design projects. Whether it's painting an accent wall, a whole room, or pulling in some bright blue chairs or pillows, the color blue always seems to compliment a design and add that final touch.

Below are some items that will help you incorporate blue into your home and add that pop of color you might be missing!

Blue Product Details:

1. Book Nook Armchair - West Elm - Chairs are the easiest ways to add a pop of blue since the options are endless!   2. Magnolia Coffee Table - InMod - We love this color of blue and it's so fun and unexpected on a coffee table!   3. Blue Casablanca Area Rug - Esale Rugs - Rugs are another easy, yet more pricey, way to bring in blue. An area rug like this really does have a soothing effect.   4. Embroidered Pillows - Chiapas Bazaar - Everyone loves beautiful embroidered pillows...especially in blue!   5. Topanga 4 Seater Sofa - Jonathan Adler - A soft turquoise sofa is atypical but so lovely!   6. Klein Homage to Tennessee - Room & Board - Yves Klein got famous off the color blue, if you're wanting to incorporate a classic blue into your home.   7. Capri Lights - Jonathan Adler - We love the idea of capri blue lights around the house, such a fun pop of color!   8. Aurora Azure - Calico Wallpaper - Fresh, buoyant and delightful wallpaper for a unique accent!   9. Triangle Jacquard Throw - West Elm - A super soft throw in an edgy print, perfect for the modernist.   10. Leather Moroccan Pouf - Jonathan Adler - Poufs are the must-have accessory of the year, and why not in blue leather?   11. Diagonal V Tiles - Cement Tile Shop - We love patterned tiles for the kitchen, bathroom backsplash or even for the floor!   12. Tolix Marais A Chair - Design Within Reach - Kitchens are one of the best places to add color and these classic turquoise chairs are the cutest!

If you love the idea of taking your home from "A tribute to tan" to something more fun and exciting but don't know how, we would love to help! Feel free to reach out to us.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.  

Decked out Dorm Room

This time of year a lot of kids are off to college for their first year in a new & exciting place! And while it's exciting for both the parents and the student, it's also nerve-racking, stressful, and even a little sad for everyone. You're sending your kid off to somewhere totally new, maybe far away from home, with a bunch of strangers and you just really hope they are complacent and happy--and your kid is really hoping this too! The best way to start off on the right foot? Create a comfortable living environment!

Help your child get settled in their new dorm or apartment and create an area where they will feel at home.

Below are some of our favorite Dorm Room essentials to use to design the perfect space for your child (or for yourself if you're the one going off to college).

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Dorm Products List:

1. Navy Curtains - Urban Outfitters - Dorm windows typically aren't pretty so use these curtains to bring in color and provide extra privacy.   2. White Desk Shelf - Container Store - This shelf collapses so it's easy to move.   3. Table Lamps -  West Elm - With the harsh lighting of the dorm these accent lamps will create a much warmer atmosphere.   4. Cozy Bedding - Urban Outfitters - nice bedding is the quickest way to brighten your plain room and bring in your own style. Since you probably will only have this for a couple of years, don't spend too much! But don't cheap out completely...you'll already have trouble sleeping if sharing a room with a new roommate.   5. White Desk Chair - Overstock - Desk chairs don't have to be ugly or expensive. This white number is sleek and will modernize any space.   6. White Desk - Urban Outfitters -  a lot of dorm rooms now provide a desk, but if they don't you'll want to invest in at least a small table. There will definitely be nights you don't feel like going to the library and the desk will come in handy!   7. Mini Fridge - Home Depot - A necessity for all dorm rooms! You'll occasionally want your own groceries to help prevent that Freshman 15.   8. Tall Bookcase - Overstock -  If you can fit it, definitely consider purchasing a bookcase. You will be acquiring a lot more books and it will add an upscale accent.   9. Record Player - Urban Outfitters - Want to be the coolest new friend on campus? Get a record player.   10. Dishware Set - Urban Outfitters - Just like a mini fridge, dishware is a dorm necessity. An affordable set should get you all the way through College too.   11. Framed Pictures/Art - Urban Outfitters - Decorate the walls! Create a photo collage or buy a bunch of cool, inexpensive prints--it will make your place feel a lot more home-y.   12. Blanket - West Elm - A super soft throw will help get you through those long nights of studying.   13. Mongrammed Towels - PB Teen - if your dorm has a community bathroom, monogrammed towels are essential...then you'll know if someone steals your soft, fluffy towel.   14. Wall Shelf - Urban Outfitters - the more shelving & storage the better. And this one is perfect for a cool plant!   15. Accent Mirror - Urban Outfitters - Mirrors always make the room feel bigger & are great for putting by the door to look at on your way out to class!   16. Seating Poufs - West Elm -  you probably won't be spending too much time in your dorm, but you'll still want some extra seating for when your new friends come visit.   17. Floor Lamp - Urban Outfitters - Just like the table lamps, this will make your dorm environment much more pleasant & calming.   18. Sheepskin Rug - Pottery Barn - Something soft to put your feet on every morning, to make you want to get out of bed for class.   19. Blue Accent Chair - West Elm - If you can fit it, you'll appreciate this pop of color and a comfy place to sit when you need to read all those new books!

We hope this long list of items inspires you to create a dorm room where you or your child feel at home and relaxed!

Sometimes you don't know where to begin with moving in and creating a home away from home...so if you need help we would love to offer our professional advice! Feel free to reach out to us.

Click here to see more Blog Posts by Paula Ables Interiors.

Made in the USA!

Over the past years shoppers & clients have become more conscious of where their product is coming from. The issues of poor working conditions, child labor, and factory deaths are less hidden & more talked about today and as a result more people are wanting fair trade or American-made products. As Americans, we want to celebrate that!

With fourth of July this weekend we wanted to feature some of our favorite "Made in the USA" interior items. Because for us, as Americans, there is nothing better than a beautiful, quality piece of furniture that is made in the great USA!

Made in the USA Product Details:

1. Carlo Swivel Chair - Room & Board // 2. Branching Bubbles Light - Lindsey Adelman // 3. Tumbling Block Collage Art - Dolan Geiman // 4. Gibson Cocktail Table - Room & Board // 5. American Flag Pillow - Alabama Chanin // 6. Hutton Sofa - Room & Board // 7. White City Planter - The Potted Store // 8. RV Neon Sign - Roadhouse Relics // 9. Stencil Clock - Heath Ceramics // 10. Forma Floor Lamp - Cerno Group // 11. Chelsea Side Table - Desiron // 12. Velvet Graphic Ruby Rug - Capel Rugs // 13. Mural Tile Rhythm Color - Heath Ceramics // 14. Russel Wright Beverageware - Bauer Pottery // 15. Lind Cowhide Ottoman - Room & Board

Next time you're purchasing something for your home consider an American-made item! Not only are there a wide range of options now, but the options are usually high quality & durable!

If you are looking to incorporate products made in the USA into your home, but don't know how to get started, feel free to reach out to us for help!  We love supporting local artist, retail stores and craftsman.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.

Mid-Century Moment

Modern, Mid-century styles are definitely having a moment right now and we are loving it! In fact, mid-century designs have become recognized as classic, American staples in today's design world, and we expect them to stick around for years to come. "Mid-Century modern" describes mid-20th century developments in modern design & architecture. After WWII this design movement evolved out of the need to replace pre-war styles with fresh, optimistic interiors and architecture. Veterans and their families felt the need to create  new homes with new styles, to put the war behind them. This style is now recognized worldwide as a significant design movement, and has made a major comeback in the design world--particularly interior design.

Some of the major leaders in this movement include: Charles & Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, George Nelson, and many more amazing designers.  Today we are featuring some of these innovators who have provided so much inspiration for us over the years!

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Mid Century Moment Product Details [from top to bottom, left to right]:

Record Player - Crosley Dansette - Good news for you baby boomers: Record-player sales are up, so pull out all those dusty vinyls from the attic and look trendy while doing it! // Wood Dining Table - Eero Saarinen - A simple & classic, round, dining table with a white aluminum cast for a retro edge // Orange Dining Chair - Eames Molded Fiberglass Chair - The kitchen is always a fun place to add color & lucky for you, this chair design comes in any color you could imagine // White Bubble Lamps - George Nelson - An interesting but simple, elegant but edgy design all in one lamp // Black Ball Clock - George Nelson - One of the most recognizable designs of the mid-century movement, this clock has come to symbolize optimism & technological advances // Bentwood Teardrop Shelf - Urban Outfitters - A fun & functional wall accessory // Sheepskin Rug - Design Within Reach - This functions as a luxurious rug, or an elegant throw over a chair // White & Gray Pillows - West Elm - The crosshatch embroidery on the pillows was a common print of the 50s & 60s // Blue Shag Pillow - Urban Outfitters - Textured accessories add interest & life to a room // Ivory Lamp - West Elm - The organic shape & geometric pattern shine a vintage light on your room // Glass Coffee Table - Isamu Noguchi - With outstanding accuracy & attention to detail, this well-known Coffee Table will please even the most selective design fan // Black Lounge Chair - Charles & Ray Eames - An icon of American design, and comfortable too // Teal Sectional Sofa - Joybird - Merging mid-century with modern in any color you can dream of // Wood Mads Credenza - Rove Kure - Once again, white lacquer accents add a modern, retro touch to a simple storage unit.

As a contemporary Interior Design firm we love this mid-century era and incorporate modern elements in our designs whenever we have the chance. Below are some projects where we have been able to use mid-century pieces to compliment the design of our clients' homes.

See our Barton Hills Remodel/Addition house on Houzz for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Lake Austin Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

See our Spanish Oaks Contemporary house for more photos of this amazing space.

As you can see, our mid-century elements usually come in the form of a chair or a table, but there are endless ways to use classic mid-century modern designs! If you are interested in giving your home a modern update but are not sure how, we would love to help! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or inquiries.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors.

Haute Hacienda Decor

Here in Texas we are excited to be celebrating Cinco de Mayo next week! With Mexico right next door, we honor this holiday and our shops fill up with Mexican art, food, decorations, etc.

To get in the spirit, today we are featuring some of our favorite interior design items with Spanish and Mexican influence.

In Texas, Hacienda is more than just a style, it is a lifestyle as well. For interior design, we are seeing the Spanish influence become popular beyond our Texas borders! And we can't say we hate it...

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Haute Hacienda Product Details:

1. Otomi Floor Lamp - Stray Dog Designs // 2. Metal Wall Mirror - All Modern // 3. Orange Kasbah Cowhide Rug - Kyle Bunting // 4. Embroidered Pillows - Chiapas Bazaar // 5. Blue Mosaic Tile - Mosaic House // 6. Talavera Tile - La Fuente Imports // 7. Mexican Pottery - Direct from Mexico // 8. Striped Chair + Ottoman - Jorge Kurczyn // 9. Gray Otomi Lounger - Olli

Interested in taking your house in a new style direction?

Do you love the hacienda style, but you aren't quite sure where to start?

Give us a shout!  We would love to talk with you about all of the style possibilities and how they might fit your needs.

Click here to see more blog posts by Paula Ables Interiors