Just Wallpaper It

Wallpaper, the keystone to creating a bold and vivid space, is making a dramatic comeback.  We, here at Kim Armstrong Interior Design, have a bit of a fetish for our statement-making friend.  Here are some simple tips and examples that can give life to any space. 

Below are two photos of a room we recently designed using bright pops of pink and gray.  As you can see in the “Before” photo, the room seemed nearly complete, but there was something not quite right.  Finally (in the “After” photo), we concluded that the back wall needed a pop of pink in order to tie in all the blocks of color from around the room.  The paper we chose was a subtle pink with a geometric pattern in a sheen.  It doesn’t steal attention, it creates a better opportunity for all our custom pieces (like the headboard, bedding, and daybed) to be noticed. 

BEFORE 

By Kim Armstrong Interior Design
http://interiorsbykim.com/

AFTER

By Kim Armstrong Interior Design
http://interiorsbykim.com/

In this next room, the wallpaper sets the tone of the entire space.  It is apparent that whoever designed this loft fell in love with the paper, and then designed around it.  The space, while it looks complexly designed, has a flawless and easy formula.  They picked the deep purple paper as the inspiration, chose a soft gray as their main color, and added pops of a brighter purple for interest. 

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Here’s another example of keeping things simple while creating a to-die-for look.  They chose a foil based paper with a contemporary print; it reads pretty neutral which leaves opportunity for color to be incorporated.  In keeping the bedding and décor modest, this allowed for bright pops of yellow from the lamps, which really grab your attention.

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Now that you’re an expert, I’m sure you can see the formula used here.  The theme here seems to be what I would call “colorful calm”.  With the focus being on the green bedding and big tufted headboard, the paper acts as the subtle accent, pulling the space together.  Serenity at its best.

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To sum it up, use a wallpaper which anchors the room’s eye-catching details.  Some words of wisdom for picking that perfect paper: if you know you want a big colorful print, pick it first so you can build around it.  If you know you want to stay in the neutral sector, develop a room concept first, then pick the paper.

The Pink and the Gray

Well, this might be a bit premature, but I have to share our most recent work here at Kim Armstrong Interior Design.  We haven't gotten these professional photographed, but you can very much appreciate the design and customizations by my awesome I-phone photos.  Enjoy, and of course, what do you think!??

This photo is actually professionally done.  The chair and vanity are both completely custom, designed by KAID.  This photo was taken by Kim Burnstad (who is AMAZING!)  Please visit her website at kbbphotography.com

Like I said, I-phone photo, but you can see how delicious this room is.  Custom headboard, daybed, bedding, and frames!  All done by yours truly, Kim Armstrong ID

Ms. Wilma's favorite spot in the house.  She blends nicely :)

Wall of custom frames with family photos.  It doesn't get much more beautiful/heartfelt than that.

Wonder Wall

Decorating your walls can kinda be like writer's block.  You know, that empty, frustrating feeling of nothingness?  

People want their spaces to feel special and personal, but not every item can have deep, warm-your-heart meaning.  If you are suffering from the “blank wall blues”, here are a couple of ways to add some oomph to your space.  Even if you don’t decorate with Grandma’s heirlooms or award winning art pieces, at least make it look like it :)

The arrangement of six frames on the back wall are none other than... pages from a book!  This was a coastal themed beach house in Galveston, Texas, so we found a book with sea animals and birds and had a local frame shop frame and matte them for us.
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Framed and matted intaglios look super rich and classy.  You can get them made of plaster, which is inexpensive.  Do spend money on good framing, it is soooo worth the look you will get.

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Close up of intaglios
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Have tons of digital photos?  Alter the coloring to be black and white or sepia tone and print them out at your desired size.  Most frame shops or Kinko's can help you to do that.  Creating a symmetrical arrangement like the one featured above can create such a strong element to any space.
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Who loves thrift store shopping?  Check out your local thrift/consignment/and even garage sales to find some old vintage frames.  Paint and distress them yourself, then hang them EMPTY.  Yes, let the frame be the art.
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Doors We Adore

These doors really “light my fire", as Jim Morrison would say.  If you really want to spruce up your home’s curb appeal, think about painting your front door or getting a unique style/material of door.  Check out some of my colorful, funky finds. 

Just for further proof, I do practice what I preach.  My office door happens to be an electric pink (first photo below), and my home has a soft yellow front door to accent its gray main color.

If you’d like any of these doors custom made just for you, feel free to contact us at kim@interiorsbykim.com, or (214) 500-0600.

If you’d like to get down and dirty and DIY, here’s a quick step by step guide of how to paint your own door.

1.     Take your door off!!  Trust me, just do it… it will be much easier in the end.

2.     Remove all the hardware (knobs, hinges, peep holes, etc.)

3.     Tape off any exposed glass

4.     Prime the ENTIRE door.  Even under where the hardware was!

5.     Wait for the primer to dry, then fill any cracks with caulk.  Once caulk is dry, prime over it.

6.     Sand with a fine grit sandpaper.  This will really make the door look expertly done.

7.     Sweep off all dust and residue, and PAINT the door!  If you want to spruce up the interior of your home (and the color you’ve chose melds with your interior spaces), paint the inside, too.

8.     Use a roller on the flat parts, and a brush to get into the crevices.  You will probably need to do several coats.  Make sure you let each coat dry before doing a new one.

9.     Apply the door, and viola, facelift accomplished!

KAID's office door.  Does it look familiar?

http://interiorsbykim.com/

Pink and stucco 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/curb-appealmodern-front-doors-roundup--170253

Yellow and etched glass design

http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/curb-appeal-tips/?sssdmh=dm17.517996&esrc=nwhi040711a&email=420614863

Mod and masculine, navy blue

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/curb-appealmodern-front-doors-roundup--170253

Traditional goes orange

http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/09/shut-front-door.html

The weathered look.  We can show you how to get a finish like this

http://manolohome.com/2009/06/09/first-impressions/

It's like a bag of skittles
http://darlingdarleen.blogspot.com/2012/03/colorful-front-door.html    

For those a little frightened of color, try a beautiful mahogany or maple with a warm stain

http://www.heartwoodwindowsanddoors.com/PhotoCloseup.aspx?PhoID=1134&ProdID=581

Rustic, yet modern

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2784617/thumbs/Crossno

HGTV Coastal Images

Exciting news today!  KAID was featured on HGTV for our beach house designs.  They created a category on their site for "Coastal Inspired Bedrooms" and featured THREE of our photos!  Check them out, they are images 11, 16, and 17.

http://www.hgtv.com/bedrooms/coastal-inspired-bedrooms/pictures/index.html