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).

(product details after the image)

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.

3 Steps to Creating your Living Wall

Now that it's summer it is time to move your gardens and plants back outside...but have you thought about moving your gardens ON the walls? Yes, we're seeing everyone pick their tomatoes & peaches and create delicious meals from their new sprouts, but we're also seeing a new craze...vertical garden walls [or living/green walls as some people call them]. People are literally buying hundreds of succulents, cacti, and grass roots and planting them on their wall. Sounds crazy, but we love it!

This live wall concept has been around for a while but has recently become extremely popular.

With the warmer weather coming, we have been planning this post (since it's best to plant during Spring & Summer), but recently Paula visited the Dwell on Design Exhibit in Los Angeles and saw various, luscious live walls to inspire the blog even more!

First of all there are 3 main things to consider when installing a live wall. We will walk through each one of them to help you create the best one for your home!

1. Space

How much room do you want to allot for your living wall?

There are wall planters that are as small as one little vase--which look great next to your front door, or inside by your office desk.

 

And then there are HUGE planters that can take up an entire wall on your back patio, or interior living room.

 

Of course the most options lie between the small planters and the huge walls...From pots you can attach to your wall, to wooden frames full of succulents, the options really are endless.

 

2. Cost

Obviously, the bigger the plant wall, the more money it's going to cost. If you are going to go really big, we suggest hiring a professional. This will allow you to customize the perfect design for your space without wasting any time or resources.

Many of the larger wall systems are plumbed with a water drip system (which is hard to self-install) to keep the plants well fed and consistently happy across the board.

If your project is smaller and does not need professional help, but you don't want to start from scratch, there are affordable starter kits or pre-made gardens [for example, the image below is multiple modular pieces from Succulent Gardens Company]

Another easy-to-use wall planter is Skale Greenwall. You can install it & customize it yourself [for a pretty penny]. But may be worth  the cost, because the result is beautiful!  Why reinvent the wheel when you can purchase ready made systems from the pros?

Now there are hundreds of companies & landscape architects that will build a vertical garden for you (we suggest looking up local landscape companies). While this may not save you money, it will save you a lot of time. Live walls can be tedious to build depending on which plants you use...which brings us to our next point!

3. Types of Plants

Now the fun part! Picking out your plants.

People typically think of succulents and cactus for their green wall plants, but grass & more leafy plants can be great for taking up more space with less costs.

 

It really doesn't take a lot to create an attractive succulent garden. Since they are from the same family of plants they all seem to compliment each other greatly. Creating clusters of the same types of succulents will make for a very eye-catching display. Just be sure the succulent wall has plenty of sunlight since that is what makes these plants thrive.

You may also consider using your wall planter for herbs and flowers...Especially if you live in an apartment or office with no outdoor gardening space, this can be an amazing resource for cooking and for extra fresh air!

Lastly, consider air plants! These are the easiest plants to care for and they are very eye-catching and appealing in any room! We always love the fun touch they add.

  

If you are still hesitant about taking the green wall plunge, consider the many benefits:

Improved air quality, reduced energy costs, reduced noise levels, & of course amazing aesthetics.

If you would like a live wall in or around your home and don't know where to start, feel free to reach out to us! We may not be landscape designers, but we are true Pros when it comes to space planning and balance within your room or space.  We would love to work with you to create the best look/most complimentary space for your new wall!

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!

[more details after the image]

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.

Beach House Luxe

As the days heat up and the kids get out of school, we are more ready than ever for a Beach getaway! So today we are getting in the mood for vacation with a Beach House Decor moodboard. We're putting a spin on the traditional, nautical color palette, with stripes and anchor decor, and adding a bit of GLAM to our Beach house!

[more details after the image]

We love this elegant, luxe combination of decor, that still incorporates fun, beachy elements.

Beach House Luxe Product Details listed below (from top to bottom, left to right):

1. Coral Chandelier - Currey & Company - Beachy But Elegant // 2. Whicker Pom Pom Planter - Leifshop - Because pom pom, basket planters are much more fun; & everyone needs a little life [plants] indoors // 3. Soft Striped Throws - Crate & Barrel - Who doesn't want to curl up on the couch with a soft throw after a day in the sun? // 4. Abstract Blue Art - Z Gallerie - Beautiful beach inspired art that is not as literal  as beach photography // 5. Driftwood Mirror - Currey & Company - A subtle incorporation of beach product // 6. Shell Dresser - Currey & Company - The more shells the better // 7. Gold & Wood Coffee Table - Wayfair - Simple, sleek table that lets the accent pieces glow // 8. Striped Rug - ABC Home - A new take on your typical, striped, beach house rug // 9. Shibori Pillows - Rebecca Atwood - Because shibori tie dye is the new stripe // 10. Blue Accent Chair - Anthropologie - Blue accents are always a good idea // 11. Coral Sofa - Joybird - This coral colored sofa is a nice alternative to the traditional red or white beach house sofa.

If you have a Beach or Lake house that needs some design help, feel free to reach out to us! Or if you love nautical inspiration and want to incorporate it into your house, we would love to help!

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

5 Tips for Picking a Ceiling Fan

5 things to consider when looking for the best ceiling fan for your room:

Ceiling fans...are they a necessary evil or a stylish accent to the room?

We all know how hot it gets in the Texas Hill Country summers!  To get some relief, many of us rely on ceiling fans to keep our homes comfortable.  Running a ceiling fan can make a room feel about 5 degrees cooler than it actually is.

If you are ready to upgrade your existing fan or looking to add one, here are 5 things to keep in mind before you make the purchase:

1. Size of your Space

It is easy to underestimate the size of the fan you need.  A 48" fan may sound big but if you install an undersized fan you won't get the air circulation you need to cool off.

A good rule of thumb is:

• Rooms less than 150 sq. ft. - Use a 42-48" diameter fan
• Rooms 150-350 sq. ft. - Use a 52-56" fan
• Rooms greater than 350 sq. ft. - Use at least a 60" fan or you can purchase 2-48" fans

Below is an example of a large open-concept living, dining & kitchen space, where this 8 ft. Big Ass Fan serves as both a cooling unit and a WOW factor.

2. Ceiling Height

When selecting a fan for your space, know your ceiling height.  If it is an 8' ceiling, your best solution is a ceiling-hugger style fan.  If your ceiling is 10'+, you may need to add additional down rods to accommodate the extra height.

The typical rule of thumb is for the blades of your fan to be 8-9 feet above the floor. As you see in the photo below, we added a 12" down rod to our fan to accommodate the 10' ceiling--placing the fan at the perfect height for this bedroom.

3. Type of Installation 

Another critical factor to take into account when shopping for a new fan is: sloped or flat ceiling?

Some fans include adapters for sloped ceilings, but not all have this capability. Some adapters can be purchased separately, but can have restrictions on the angle it will accommodate; so it is important to know these details if you have a vaulted or sloped ceiling.

Sometimes the best solution isn't a ceiling fan at all. In the image below, we used a wall-mounted, oscillating fan to blow the smoke away from the bar-b-que area.

*Make sure to look for a damp or wet rated fan if installing outdoors*

 4. Lighting

Light kits have gotten a bad wrap over the years and for the most part we agree.  Lights on fans are usually unattractive.  This being said, the fan companies have heard our plea.  Many have begun integrating lights into the fan itself making for a more complete and attractive look.

Which look do you like the best?  If you know you want a light, certain fans have customized options for you to pick the shape and globe style you want. Also, some fans that do come with a light, come with a cap in case you decide you do not want to use the light kit.

In the living room pictured below we capped the light because we loved the fan design, but the recessed cans in the room provided plenty of general lighting.

5. Style

Just like light fixtures, there are a wide variety of ceiling fan styles. To start with, there are contemporary and traditional fans. There are fans that have multiple blade material options--from clear acrylic, all the way to woven rattan.

Many times fans blend in to the ceiling because they are thought of as utilitarian, but there are plenty of styles that can take your fan from Blah to Tah-DAH.

Below is a unique example of a ceiling fan we used in a bedroom that is just as much art as function.

What ceiling fan is right for you?  What will fit best in your space?

Do you want to go from Blah to Tah-DAH with your lighting in a new or existing space?  We are here to help with great ideas and friendly purchasing advice.  Give us a shout to help transform your space.

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