Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Pantone’s 2012 Color Report is out, and unveiling the hottest hues cropping up in the fashion and design industries.

The colors for women range from vibrant to subdued, but all are enchanting. Color trends typically begin in fashion, then filter down to home décor. So you’ll see them first on the runways, followed by home interiors.

For nearly 20 years, Pantone, considered the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to first report the season’s most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for fall 2012. Take a look and let me know what you think!

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute^®, “By playing to consumers’ practical side with versatile neutrals, and boosting their confidence with bold, spirited hues, this skillfully balanced palette has something for everyone.” Continue reading »

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, but candlelight dinners and roses aren’t the only ways to bring romance home. Romantic decor lasts all year long. But what’s your idea of romantic design? Sleek and modern, luxurious and soft, or exotic and eclectic? Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so lies romance.

A sensuous red velvet headboard sets the stage for romance in this glamorous bedroom. The bold color is balanced by a black and white palette, while traditional furnishings keep the room from being over-the-top. Continue reading »

Today, I have some exciting news to share. I’ve started a new company to further serve my clients, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

As a professional designer, I often help homeowners settle in and decorate new homes after a move. This is, without a doubt, an exciting time! But I’ve also noticed how stressed and tired all homeowners are after a move. In fact, did you know that moving ranks as the third most stressful life event, just after death of a loved one and divorce? That’s why I’ve created The Move Magicians.

The Move Magicians is a full-service moving concierge company, staffed by trusted professionals from all areas of relocation services. I’ve partnered with the best in the business to bring you a full-service, moving concierge company with customized services to meet your needs. Whether you want help with just a few items, such as finding a moving company and scheduling service; or you want someone to oversee it all – from utility service connections to hanging artwork – we do it. Continue reading »

Valentine’s Day is almost here, but don’t worry if a box of chocolates just isn’t going to cut it this year.  Here are some fabulous finds to please even those with the most discriminating taste.

Red Crest Emblem Heart Italian Leather Journal inspired by Peruvian folklore. Handmade in Florence, Italy with lined ivory pages and a border in real gold leaf. Measures 6”x8.” Available at www.barnesandnoble.com for$22.46.  Continue reading »

Today’s blog concludes my series on quick and easy ways to give your home a fresh start with the new year. I hope you’ve found the ideas inspiring! If you’ve missed any blogs in the series, make sure to look back through my blogstream. I’m sure you’ll find an idea to fit your home and budget. Last, but certainly not least, is window treatments.

Window treatments do more than just provide privacy and block outside light. They can completely change the look and feel of a room by adding texture, color and visual height to the space. Quality treatments can also protect valuable home furnishings from damaging UV rays. And with so many options available, there are treatments to suit every style.

Drapes, or curtains, are usually the best window treatment option if your goal is to soften the right angles of a room, insulate a room from light or outside temperatures, or absorb sound to make a room quieter. They are also one of my favorite ways to dress up a room! Drapes are dramatic and provide maximum impact. They’re also great for covering glass doors, multiple adjoining windows or very large picture windows.

Try luxurious fabrics with ornate valances or trim for an elegant, formal look; or opt for panels in light weight fabrics or sheers for a clean, contemporary look. Continue reading »

I recently had the honor of doing a segment on the House Talk Today radio show with Chris and Alex to discuss trim work and moldings for your home. The show was a lot of fun and we discussed great tips on selecting trim. It also reminded me, once again, how much trim work and moldings can transform a room – a perfect topic for this series of blogs!

Moldings and trim create architectural interest, add style and definition, and bridge the gap between walls and ceiling. In short, they dramatically alter a room, and with little expense and time. Here’s all the scoop on selecting the right trim for your home. Continue reading »

You agonize over paint colors, look at countless sofas, and shop for hours for the perfect bedding, but have you ever considered how you’re lighting your home?

Lighting sets the mood for the entire room, yet it’s often the most neglected element of interior design. There are four basic types of lighting and layering is the key to a successful space. Here’s how.

Ambient lighting, also called general lighting, illuminates the entire room. It includes chandeliers, ceiling fans with light kits, recessed lighting and other ceiling fixtures. It is the first layer of lighting and can make or break a room. An elegant chandelier or modern pendant light can be a showstopper, while a dated ceiling fan can be, well…a showstopper. Consider the mood and function of the room, and choose accordingly. Also, install a dimmer switch for greater lighting control and ambiance.

Task lighting helps you perform tasks and is an inexpensive, yet often overlooked form of lighting. It’s the light you need to perform tasks, such as reading, cooking or applying makeup. It includes table and floor lamps, under counter lights and vanity lights among others. Table and floor lamps are without a doubt one of the quickest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a room. They add warmth and function to the space, and can be used solely to light a room when a more intimate or calming setting is desired. Continue reading »

In fashion, it’s often the accessories that make an outfit. The same is true in interior design. Accessories can transform a room. They can also be easily changed at little expense. But how do you choose and use accessories?

When selecting accessories, there are two important things to keep in mind. First, choose items that suit the mood you are trying to create. Second, choose items that are in harmony with the colors and scale of the room. Accessories need to be in proportion with the size of the room and the items placed around them. But if you’re like most people and design concepts just give you a headache, here are some practical tips.

Be inspired by the season. Faux fur throws, wood logs in a basket and candlesticks add warmth and luxury to rooms in winter. Colorful vases, pillows and floral arrangements bring the spirit of new life indoors during the spring.

Experiment with pillows and throws. Pillows and throws are two of the easiest ways to experiment with color and pattern. Try an assortment of new pillows on the living room sofa, or drape a beautiful throw across an ottoman or chair.

Display art. A work of art that you love can become the focal point that defines a room. But there’s no need to spend more than you can afford. Artwork abounds at home décor and even discount stores. Or try your own hand at creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! Personal artwork is especially fun and charming for children’s rooms and less formal spaces. Continue reading »

They don’t call them magic carpets for nothing! When it comes to transforming a room, rugs pack one powerful punch. Area rugs anchor a room, define a space, add visual interest with color and texture, absorb noise and protect flooring. But how do you choose the right rug for your home?

Consider your existing decor.  When choosing an area rug, try to coordinate with existing paint, furniture, bedding or window treatments. Or, if you are starting from scratch, choose a rug first and build the room’s color scheme and style around the new rug.

Consider your lifestyle and budget. Rugs are made from a variety of materials. If you like to change your decor frequently or have a small budget, synthetic rugs, made from polypropylene or nylon, are a good choice. Synthetic rugs provide water and UV-resistance at low prices and are good at hiding dirt. Nylon is the higher quality of the two because of its greater bulk and ability to hold color well. Cotton rugs are even more affordable, but they can stain and wear out quickly. Continue reading »

You’ve wrung in the new year, made resolutions and may even be keeping a few of them. Now what? How about giving your home a fresh start, too? It’s not as difficult or expensive as you may think. There are several quick, easy and inexpensive ways to transform a room.

Today’s blog is the first in a series called “New Year, New Home,” and I hope you find the ideas inspiring. First up is one of the best ways to clean and brighten a space: paint. Painting is easy, relatively inexpensive and a perfect do-it-yourself project. But what color do you choose to transform your space?

Avoid bright colors and neon shades, or colors that are very dark.  The hottest trends in paint colors are soft creams, taupe, and pale buttery yellow tones. Neutrals have universal appeal and are best when trying to sell a home. To jazz up neutral spaces, add pops of color with accessories such as throw pillows, lamps and vases. But if you’re not planning on selling your home anytime soon, feel free to experiment and find the paint color that makes YOU happy.

Consider the mood of the room. If you’d like the room to have a restful, soothing mood, choose soft, cool colors and neutrals. Looking for a little drama? Use stronger colors. Want a social space that stimulates conversation? Warmer, contrasting colors create a social atmosphere. And while you might be drawn to bright colors for a child’s room, avoid intense hues. Some brighter colors can over stimulate and lead to unrest and irritability.

Continue reading »