Which Classic Interior Design Trends Are Back in Style?

Along with their attractive designs, classic furniture and decor also respects the environment by lasting for many years. In your modern home, it’s a fun challenge to find ways to incorporate classic designs so they feel fresh in your space. For a roundup of classic looks that are still very much in style, keep reading.

Reinventing Classics to Stand the Test of Time

Let the experts at San Francisco Design help you find the classic pieces to incorporate into your space. Whether you need modern furnishings to update your home or want to add something special, we have a range of products to choose from. You can also shop from hundreds of furniture pieces to find the perfect addition for your living spaces. Come and visit our showroom or schedule an appointment with one of our interior designers to learn more.

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Since its introduction, mid-century modern furniture has evolved from a new, unique style to a classic interior design staple. This retro-modern style offers unparalleled timelessness and a casual vibe that can instantly transform any space. If you want to incorporate mid-century modern design into your home without completely redoing your entire room, read on to learn some easy, effortless tips.

Defining Characteristics & Design Elements of Mid-Century Modernism

As a style that grew in popularity during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, mid-century modern design has remained a beautiful design staple. Characterized by its minimalism, organic shapes, and focus on functionality, it’s a timeless design style that is easy to incorporate into your home. Created as a way to reimagine traditional design styles, it features clean lines, bright colors, and beautiful, natural wood tones.

What Makes MCM an Easy Style to Incorporate into an Eclectic Home?

While many homeowners love the look of mid-century style, they’re hesitant to design a home that looks like a time capsule from the past. Luckily, many homeowners can enjoy the look and feel of mid-century modern simply by incorporating a few pieces into their current decor. Why is mid-century modern such a simple design to use? The cleanliness and modernism that clearly define the style mean a timeless look that easily blends in with many different design styles. In addition, mid-century modern furniture often comes in a variety of rich wooden hues and muted colors that blend well into any color palette.

Which Elements of Other Style Types Work Well with Mid-Century Modern Furniture & Decor?

It’s easy to get stuck in a design rut and stick to only one design style when decorating a space. However, mixing up design styles can create a unique, well-designed space that looks luxurious and reflects your personality and history. Here are a few interior design styles that easily incorporate modern mid-century pieces.

Transitional Interior Design

As a blend of traditional and modern styles, transitional is an increasingly popular style that effortlessly blends a mix of old and new styles. Combining mid-century modern furniture with transitional interior design is a cinch because of its focus on integrating furniture from different periods. To create a transitional look in your living room, try incorporating a modern mid-century armchair, lamp, or coffee table.

Eclectic Interior Design

The eclectic design style is all about showcasing your personality and filling your home with things that mean a lot to you. There are essentially no rules with this design, which makes it perfect for incorporating any mid-century modern pieces. Add a fun-shaped or sunburst mirror on the wall, a vintage-inspired lamp, or a unique art piece from the era to catch the eye. Or, ground your home’s design with a minimal sofa or sectional sofa that provides a perfect backdrop for bold colors and patterns.

Contemporary Interior Design

While not always easy to define, contemporary style features design styles that are currently popular. In other words, it is constantly evolving. Today’s contemporary design features neutral colors, minimalism, and curved lines. Incorporating mid-century modern into today’s contemporary interiors can be a cinch by adding a mid-century modern couch, side table, or pendant lights.

Bohemian Interior Design

The lack of structure and carefree mix of texture, patterns, and color defines the bohemian style. In the bohemian style, you’re encouraged to blend in artful pieces that are fun and have sentimental value to you. To add a touch of modern mid-century to your bohemian room, add a beautiful credenza, a patterned mid-century modern rug, or a chandelier.

Coastal Interior Design

This laid-back interior design style inspired by coastal living is characterized by its incorporation of natural elements, such as jute, rattan, linen fabrics, and natural woods. With a light, airy feel, incorporating mid-century modern into this design style is effortless. Add an oak dining room table with coordinating chairs or a tan mid-century loveseat.

Rustic Interior Design

The rustic interior design exudes a welcoming, relaxing vibe and shouldn’t feel stuffy. The style has recently evolved to include modern elements emphasizing warm neutrals, earth tones, and natural textures. You can incorporate modern mid-century into this style by using clear pendants or a lamp with clean, straight lines.

San Francisco Design is Your Source for Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Pieces

Finding the right mid-century modern furniture pieces for your home should be enjoyable, and when you shop with us, it will be! At San Francisco Design, we’re here to help you find the perfect piece for your space, and our design assistance allows you to incorporate it into your room effortlessly. You’ll receive a free two-hour design consultation when purchasing any furniture from our stores. We are conveniently located in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Stop in at either of our furniture showrooms today to see all of our unique, beautiful furniture that you’ll love to add to your home.

Shop Featured Products

• Duo Console
• Ralph Sofa
• Mix It Up Table
• Tulip Swivel Armchair

The post How To Incorporate Mid-Century Modern Furniture Into Your Home appeared first on San Francisco Design.

Start with a Natural Color

No matter which room you are designing or remodeling, make sure that you start with a neutral base. All of the colors ranging from cream to beige fit perfectly on the neutrality scale. A naturally-colored base gives you a lot of room to work with. Also, it opens up any space by reflecting the natural light pouring in from doors and windows. Conversely, darker colors can make a room appear smaller and limit your design later on down the road.

Mix In Texture

Keep things interesting by adding different textures, patterns, fabrics, and finishes. This is one of our favorite interior design tips because you begin your design with a neutral color base, and you can play around with various accessories and other decorating elements. All good interior decorators will tell you that accent fabrics and accessories are a great way to add visually-compelling pieces that you can easily switch on when the trends change.

Add Contrast and Depth

If you have ever been in a room that feels overwhelming, you know precisely why depth is crucial to professional interior design. However, it’s not only small spaces that need a sense of depth. Make your space more complex by adding contrasting elements, including contrasting hues, mirrors, layered fabrics, a different paint color, and minimalistic décor.

Increase Natural Sunlight

While you might think shutting the blinds is the fastest way to a calm space, increasing natural light has more benefits than artificial light. Many homeowners close their curtains and switch on their lights. Do better by opening your blinds and windows more often. It will help you relax and get your body into its natural rhythm.

Add Some Greenery

Greenery is a stylistic option for those wanting to increase positive energy in their homes. Not only can it help your mental space and productivity, but it enables you to breathe easier. Fortunately, some options work well for beginners who want a plant that is easy to maintain. For years, homeowners have added a plant and fresh flowers here and there, but nowadays, people are loading up on the home greenery. By adding a small collection into your space, you will get added style points and breathe a bit easier.

Rearrange Your Feng Shui

Here’s a simple expert interior design tip: sometimes, you need just a simple furniture rearrangement to make things look and feel better. One of the classic methods of getting calm energy into your home is rearranging your pieces of furniture, such as sofas and coffee tables, using the Feng Shui method. While you don’t need to use the technical practice of Feng Shui, rearranging your furniture can give you more open space than before. By having less in one area, you will automatically feel more relaxed. Plus, extra clutter can keep your mind racing with thoughts of cleaning. Give your space the Feng Shui makeover and free up your space. It could be the key to unlocking your stress-free environment.

Create a Focal Point

Creating a focal point in any room is a key point of any interior home styling. Packing a space with a variety of wow items is a temptation, but it is also a risk. Not only does a well-put-together mantel provide you with the perfect place to play around with different pieces, but it creates an awe-inspiring focal point.

For More Expert Design Advice, Trust San Francisco Design

Need more interior design help? At San Francisco Design, we’re here for any design questions you may have. Whether you’re designing a new house, redoing a house, or simply switching a few pieces out from a room, we can help you tackle it. Reach out to our interior design experts team today to get started.

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Outdated Interior Design Trends

As we all know, design styles come and go quickly. Social media and the internet spread trends far and wide, only to move on quickly when things feel saturated. Influencers always look for the next big trend, which constantly changes things. With trends updating so fast, here’s a glimpse into some items in your home that could be outdated and might need a little refresh.

Stay On-Trend with San Francisco Design

Are you in the beginning stages of designing your home’s interior and want a little help? You can trust the professional full-service interior design team at San Francisco Design.

Please stop by one of our furniture stores in Park City, UT, or Salt Lake City, UT, to view the beautiful pieces of modern + contemporary furniture we can incorporate into your home.

With the purchase of any furniture from our store, we offer a free two-hour design consultation for your Utah home. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference a new piece of furniture can make in your home.

Need help to pinpoint what’s trendy and what’s not? Try our interior design services in Utah. Contact us today to get started!

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What is Contemporary Design?

“Contemporary” is defined as belonging to or occurring in the present. Thus, contemporary styles are always in fashion because they belong to the here and now. Contemporary styles follow what is popular and trending at the moment while also incorporating timeless and classic techniques that have an ageless feel to them. Contemporary design highlights:

• Neutral shades
• Form: clean lines, both curved and straight
• Minimal and unadorned yet thoughtful pieces
• Natural textures
• Lighting

It is okay not to have a complete grasp of contemporary design because this design style is often subtly changing. Below we discuss these highlights to provide a broader understanding of contemporary design style.

Hallmarks of Contemporary Design

Contemporary Design Style and Modern Color Theory

Neutral shades are the first hallmarks of contemporary design. Tans or beige, whites, grays, and blacks should make up the majority of your palette. Patterns and bold solids may be used but should be done sparingly and usually as an accent. You can learn more about contemporary color and modern color theory, including trending colors for 2022, here.

Form and Space

Form in design commonly refers to shape. Contemporary design focuses on form just as much as function and features clean, sleek lines and organic silhouettes. Where modern design focuses exclusively on clean, straight lines, contemporary design mixes both straight and elegantly curved lines throughout the room, such as in architectural elements, furniture, lighting, and decor. Strong visible lines are present in contemporary design concepts and structural elements are highlighted.

In addition to form, space plays a vital role in contemporary style. In a contemporary room, less is more, and space is embraced throughout the room. Pay attention to the high ceilings, bare windows, and reserved wall decor in the photos of contemporary style home interiors throughout the article.

What is Contemporary Furniture Style and What Does It Incorporate?

Contemporary-style furniture follows tenets of contemporary design. Upholstered furnishings are generally in reserved or muted color schemes and are solid hues, like beige, white, gray, or soft blue. Contemporary decorators use natural materials, unadorned surfaces, and neutral, textured, natural fabrics such as:

• Wool
• Cotton
• Linen
• Silk
• Jute

Contemporary Furniture pieces make a statement. They are conversation starters, unique and tasteful, while remaining reserved and organic in their form. Furnishings have clean lines or rounded edges. They are sturdy and robust and avoid frilly adornments, such as tassels, trim, fringe, or ruffles. For more inspiration, browse San Francisco Design’s modern furniture and home furnishings catalog.

Minimal yet Thoughtful: Contemporary Home Decor Style

Contemporary design is thoughtfully understated. Decor and art are used sparingly, but the pieces that are used make a statement, are meaningful, and catch the eye. Patterns are reserved for throws, pillows, and rugs for a bit of pop. Don’t overdo it, and remember that in the contemporary design world, less is more.

Contemporary Style Lighting

Lighting is the final important element in contemporary style. Natural and layered lighting is very important in a contemporary style home interior, and thus windows are often left uncovered or with minimal covering. Let in as much natural light as possible, then use ambient lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting to fill in the rest of the room and highlight specific areas or pieces.

Light fixtures should follow contemporary style and be largely unadorned yet shapely fixtures that work well with the clean and curving lines around the room. Metal fixtures in brass, chrome, and iron are a popular choice for contemporary home decor.

Three Reasons Contemporary Style is Worth Investing In

There are many reasons that contemporary style is worth investing in, but three stand out:

First, contemporary style will last for years. Contemporary style is much more timeless than trendy, and it is understated enough that it will not easily go out of style.

Second, contemporary design creates an oasis of calm in a chaotic world. Contemporary style is relaxing. The color palette is soothing and the room is spacious and uncluttered, making your home a sanctuary for you and your loved ones.

Third, contemporary design is easily adaptable. It works well with many architectural styles and rooms, and can be easily applied in an older home or a new build.

San Francisco design offers complete interior decorating services to turn your contemporary design dream into reality for your entire home or room by room.

Introducing Contemporary Design Into Your Home: Room by Room

Contemporary Style Entryway

The best way to establish a clean, calm, and understated tone is to design a contemporary style entryway. Make it simple and uncluttered. Upon entering your home, visitors will not feel overwhelmed and instead may have their attention drawn to a statement piece that you chose to display or a unique yet simple piece of furniture that can double for storage. Introduce a long, leather ottoman or bench for a simple seating option that won’t make the space feel crowded.

Contemporary Kitchen Style

Contemporary kitchen styles should be simple and clean. Look for storage options to decrease countertop clutter as much as possible. Adhere to clean and curving lines in light fixtures, cabinets, furniture, and appliances. Light fixtures and bar stools, in particular, can bring in curved lines. Try introducing sleek, rounded metal pendants over an island or bar stools with softer edges. Balance minimalism and warmth with natural stone backsplashes and countertops, or use a natural, muted green, blue, or gray for cabinets. Sleek metal appliances paired with natural materials and tones can provide an elegant contrast.

Contemporary Style Living Room

The living room is the gathering room in your home. Keep it comfortable yet stylish with high-quality furniture in timeless styles. Remember to use natural lighting as much as possible; remove heavy drapes or outdated window treatments. Add ambient and accent light fixtures where needed for soft, dispersed light. Furniture pieces should make a statement, providing clean or curved lines and simple yet elegant style. Use an oversized sectional to fill the space, yet keep it balanced with a pair of matching chairs. Include greenery to soften the space and introduce an organic element. You can accent the room further through the use of unique textures and throws, pillows, and rugs in a small but defined color palette.

Contemporary Style Dining Room

In the dining room, contemporary style is all about lines, symmetry and structure. Focus on a unique dining table made with glass, stone, or wood and slim chairs that don’t distract from the table’s prominence. An elegant, modern chandelier and oversized piece of art are all you need to complete the space without introducing competitive features.

Contemporary Style Bedrooms

Contemporary style bedrooms are a simple yet elegant affair. Avoid bedskirts, multiple pillows, overstuffed armchairs, and floral designs. Instead, focus on soft, layered, natural fibers and symmetry in nightstands and other bedroom furniture. A contemporary bedframe can be a signature piece that ties the room together and adds to the feeling of elegant simplicity of a primary suite. Browse our collection of contemporary bedroom furniture for more inspiration.

Contemporary Style Bathroom

Contemporary style bathrooms are one of the most popular spaces that homeowners wish to update. Contemporary bathrooms focus on space and emphasize cool hues, sharp lines, and updated materials to create a unique and breathtaking room.

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As much as we love a specific decor or trend, it’s sure to go out of style eventually. After all, style isn’t eternal. No matter how much you’ve invested in decorating your home, things are sure to start looking dated over the course of time. Even normal wear and tear on your house can make it feel in need of a little revitalization. If you’re wanting to learn how to update a dated house, review our list of things that make your home look tired and what you can do to help it feel new again. (Then, check out this list that has plenty of other “dated” trends to look out for.)

Things That Make Your Home Look Dated

If your home is feeling a little “flat,” don’t worry — it may not need a complete overhaul. There could just be a few things here and there that are making it feel dated. Below is a list of items and features that are notorious for making your home look dated, along with some tips for decorating an old house to look modern:

Window Treatments

There’s a seemingly endless amount of window treatments out there, so it may be challenging to know what to choose to make your house look more modern. Maybe you’re wondering, are vertical blinds dated? Most likely, any vertical blinds in a house make it look a little drab. Other things that you’ll find in a dated living room are heavy fabric curtains, out-of-date fabric designs, broken or discolored blinds, and fringed trim. Consider replacing any heavy materials with lightweight, natural fabrics like linen. Opt for sleek roller shades or modern wood blinds for window treatments. 

Paint & Wallpaper

Chips, scuffs, and marks on the wall can quickly make your house look tired. Outdated paint colors from years ago — like a heavy beige or maroon — can instantly date your house. While certain wallpaper from years ago probably looked great at first, it might look tired and dated now. If you have wallpaper borders along the top or bottom of your walls, consider removing them. Wallpaper can easily date a house, as patterns come and go quickly. A fresh coat of paint and wallpaper removal can do wonders for keeping your home looking fresh. If you’d like new wallpaper, consider a modern, fresh style that will look great for years to come.

Furniture

Furniture trends come and go throughout the years. Pretty soon you might realize that your favorite sofa is looking a little old. When it comes to furniture that makes your home look dated, low-quality pieces that lose their shape, or furniture in trendy prints and colors such as oversized paisley or a drab brown, don’t offer the best impression for your room. To give your space an instant lift, choose high-quality furniture with clean lines. Avoid buying trendy, oversized prints, as they won’t offer lasting value for your purchase. Modern, contemporary, or traditional furniture are always great, timeless choices for updating rooms.

Lighting

Shiny brass and gold lighting fixtures from years ago can make your room look a bit old. Frosted light fixtures often age a room, as well. If you’re finding yourself with outdated fixtures or standard lighting from when the house was first built, it might be time for a lighting refresh. Tone down harsh overhead lighting by adding some clear pendants. Remove flush mount light fixtures that offer little character and replace them with chandeliers or stylish, new ceiling lights. Also, consider adding a couple of lamps at eye level; this creates lighting dimension and adds warmth and coziness.

Wall Decor

When it comes to wall decor, less is more. Today’s trends lean more toward minimal, clean wall decor. If your walls are a little more cluttered, it can make the room feel tired, out-of-date, and small.  Instead, add some large-scale art in simple, modern frames to make the room feel more updated. Floating shelves with a few pieces of your favorite art or a couple of loved books reduce clutter and keep things organized.

Cabinets

Rustic and Tuscan-style kitchens are a thing of the past. While brown isn’t necessarily an outdated color, too much brown, taupe, and golden yellow definitely make your kitchen feel old. Choose cooler tones in the kitchen for a peaceful, calming vibe. Dark green makes a great accent color whereas white, gray, and other neutrals are a safe choice for cabinets, wall color, and countertops.

Worn hardware and cabinet knobs can also quickly reveal a kitchen’s age very quickly. When considering new cabinets, think of keeping the kitchen bright and airy with just the right mix of wood and metal accents. Updating or even painting the cabinets can greatly impact a room. Mixing metals with the finishes is a great way to add some depth to your kitchen and cabinets. Try a stainless steel sink with aged copper cabinet hardware for a classic combination. 

How to Update a Dated House

If you’ve looked around and realized your space is a bit more dated than you’d like, there are a few small, simple changes you can make to get things looking new again. 

Tackle one room at a time

It might feel overwhelming to start the process of updating things. If this is the case for you, try tackling one room at a time. When you focus on revamping just one room, there are fewer decisions to make, and you can spend your time focusing on what you’d like to change. You may find that updating your house is easier when you approach it in manageable sections.

Turn to modern design

While modern or Scandinavian-style design is popular at the moment, it has also stood the test of time. It’s a design style that will look fresh for years to come. With its clean lines, minimalism, and monochromatic color palette, modern and Scandinavian-inspired furnishings are a smart investment for your home. Should you want to change the style in the future, you can add pieces here and there to update the style without feeling like you have to start from scratch. For these reasons, a modern design style is a great option for many people.

Hire the experts at San Francisco Design

Updating a house isn’t always an easy task. If you’re starting down the path of changing your outdated house, consider hiring an interior designer. When you hire an interior designer, they can manage the project quickly and efficiently. They bring fresh eyes and new ideas to the space that you might not have considered. Interior designers can help your project come to life and ensure you will have a functional, beautiful space. The experts at San Francisco Design can tackle any updating projects you’ve got up your sleeve.

How to Make an Old Room Look New? Partner with San Francisco Design

When you partner with San Francisco Design, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the process of updating your house. Our talented design team takes the time to get to know you, your design style, and your needs. No matter if your project is large or small, we will work alongside you to design a beautiful space that you love. 

Stop by our Salt Lake City or Park City showrooms and you’ll see that we have some of the most beautiful pieces of furniture in the state. Our modern and contemporary furniture can be incorporated into almost any design style. Each high-end piece of furniture that we carry is carefully crafted to last for decades. You’ll be amazed at how much you can customize by choosing leather, fabric, or specific colors. 

When you order furniture from San Franciso Design, you will receive a free two-hour design consultation for your house. We’ll give you suggestions on what you can update specifically in your house and how you can simply change things around to give your home a refresh. You can also opt for a full-service interior design to tackle large projects. Come see us and learn how we can help you refresh your space.

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We love trendy designs as much as the next person. After all, there’s something refreshing about bringing some new and popular design elements into your home. Whether it’s a throw pillow or a completely redesigned kitchen, trendy designs you see on Pinterest or in high-end magazines are part of what makes interior design fun.

However, trends by definition are short-lived. Fun while they last, they often go out of style as quickly as they came. This means giving into trendy designs could make your home a revolving door of new aesthetics. That constant cycle is not only exhausting to keep up with but quite expensive in the long run.

For homeowners looking for quality of design over quantity, timeless design offers a break from the rat race of interior design trends. When you opt for high-quality and classic furniture or timeless decor, you can create a space that lasts for years without feeling dated. For your forever home, timeless design can truly be your best friend. But how do you figure out what’s enduring and what’s not? Keep reading to learn more about our Salt Lake City interior designers’ take on evergreen styles for your home.

How Long Do Home Decor Trends Last?

What’s the shelf life of a style like a modern farmhouse or mid-century modern? How about colorful ikat prints or marble countertops? Those are difficult questions to answer. Generally, the simpler a trend is, the longer it can last. Busy, highly detailed trends are more recognizable and therefore fade out of style faster. Think of intricately veined granite countertops or textured sponge painting  — both recently had their moment for a decade or so, but we’re doomed to go out of style because of their bold, recognizable looks.

In fact, researchers in Denmark have discovered that today, trends stick around for an even shorter length of time than they did years or decades ago. That’s because with our abundance of digital content, design concepts become oversaturated quickly and new ideas can spread with lightning speed.

Keeping up with trends is a constant game — and with today’s rapid trend lifecycle, you’ll have to refresh your look even more often than before.

What Makes Design Timeless?

There’s one solution to never-ending trends; timeless design is an aesthetic that have been used for years and yet still feels beautiful, functional, and desirable.

Depending on the specific interior design piece you’re searching for, timeless design can take different shapes. For instance, when it comes to wall color, white is a safe but sophisticated option. White is always in style and never fails to feel fresh and crisp as the backdrop for your space.

Here are a few examples of how to find timeless decor or furniture for your home, no matter what you’re looking for:

Coffee Tables

Simplistic coffee tables offer the most staying power when it comes to timeless design. Look for clean lines, uncomplicated shapes, and timeless materials like glass, iron, medium-toned wood — or a natural stone like marble.

Hardwood Floors

Tile and carpet have a tendency to become dated fairly quickly because manufacturers often change the color, texture, and material for these flooring options. Hardwood floors, however, have been timeless design staples of interior spaces since all the back to America’s colonial days. Real hardwood floors in light or medium-toned stains never look dated and form a simple, functional, and naturally beautiful foundation for the rest of your interior.

Light Fixtures

Don’t overlook timeless light fixtures in your space; they can be a dead giveaway of dated design. Choose simple chandeliers to replace tired flush mount fixtures or old ceiling fans, or consider installing recessed lighting for a well-lit space that lets the furniture and decor make the statement.

What are Some Examples of Timeless Furniture Design?

Timeless furniture design includes styles that have been popular for more than one time period or decade. This can include a wide range of styles from Colonial or Victorian to French Country or Art Deco. But for many homeowners, the attainable yet enduring style that fits our modern homes often includes the following looks:

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Designed in the 1950s and 1960s, mid-century modern is an interior style that has grown even more popular in the last 10 to 20 years. Based on the vintage, classic looks popularized more than 50 years ago, mid-century modern is here to stay. The adaptability of this style makes it easy to fit into any style of home. And its clean lines, simple color scheme, and rich wood tones make it simple enough to avoid the quick trend burnout.

Modern Minimalist Furniture

With applications in interior design, fashion, architecture, and even lifestyle movements, minimalism is a concept known far and wide. Popularized in the middle to later half of the 20th century, minimalism is a concept that still feels ultra-modern today. By stripping furniture down to its most simple form, minimalism keeps your space simple — a hallmark of timeless design.

Scandinavian Furniture

First emerging from the northern European nations of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, Scandinavian design (or “Nordic” design) is well-known for its practicality and simple but elegant style. In fact, a principle of Scandinavian design is to bring harmony to your home and design things made to last. This tenet of Scandinavian design makes it a practical option for timeless design.

What are 5 Questions to Guide Your Search for Timeless Home Furnishings?

If timeless design sounds like the look you’re after, now you just need to find the right pieces that fit the bill. Here are a few helpful questions you can ask when shopping to determine if a piece is trendy or enduring.

• How long has this been around? Asking yourself this question tells you the age of the look or piece. Something like a houndstooth pattern has been around for 200+ years in both interior and fashion design. That’s a safe bet that while it may be more popular at the moment, it also has proven staying power.

• Was this used 10, 20, or 30 years ago? Is it being used right now, too? Look back at interior design magazines or books from years past. What’s being used there which still feels fresh or new to you today? That’s a great way to determine which pieces will stand the test of time.

• Is this a high-quality, well-made item that will last? Timeless design should be able to last in your home for years — that’s the main appeal of this type of look. But to last that long, it must be well-made, with superior materials and craftsmanship. Splurging for a quality piece is well worth the investment when you know it won’t be trendy and short-lived.

• Is this something I love? Something maybe classic but, if you don’t love it, it doesn’t deserve a spot in your home. There are too many options when it comes to interior design to settle for something you don’t love!

• Have high-end interior designers used something similar? Look to interior designers to see what they’re using today or what they used 10 years ago. Interior designers are experts in home style and can do much of the hard work for you by identifying cohesive color schemes, functional furniture arrangements, and timeless home decor that never goes out of style.

Invest in Beautiful, Classic Design with Help from San Francisco Design

Timeless design, when done right, feels effortless. But attaining that effortless look still takes work! To gain tasteful perspective or hand the design reigns off entirely, connect with our Salt Lake City interior designers. We can help you create a timeless look for your room redesign, remodel project, or new home. Whatever looks you love, we can find a way to make them less trendy and more personal to you and your home. Contact us today.

The post Interior Design That Never Goes Out of Fashion appeared first on San Francisco Design.

At the heart of every extraordinary interior design firm are talented designers creating unique and inspiring spaces for their clients. Today, we’d like to introduce an integral member of our team, Susan Minard. Susan is one of our brilliant designers at our store in Park City, Utah. We recently sat down for an interview with her about why she loves interior design.

Susan has over 35 years of design experience in Salt Lake City and Park City combined. After moving to Utah from the greater Chicago area, she has discovered her passion for creating beautiful interiors and making homes comfortable. She believes in taking time to listen to every client, making sure to address their needs and concerns. Above all, she said meeting and getting to know clients is her favorite aspect of the job.

“It’s fun to work with people who are from other parts of the world,” she said, adding that she enjoys creating unique designs for the city’s diverse clientele. “I like helping clients achieve a nice place to live, a nice environment just for themselves.”

Susan mixes a variety of different styles to creates relaxing settings and beautiful spaces. Her attention to detail makes her one of the top interior designers in Utah and she makes such great addition to our team in Park City.

What else sets our interior design firm apart from the others? During the interview, we discussed various aspects of the process with Susan and San Francisco Design.

Why choose San Francisco Design?

Our design services in Utah are comparable to none other. We specialize in contemporary and modern design that is inspired by our beautiful mountain scenery and stands the test of time. Every member of our friendly, full-service interior design team loves what they do. We love to help clients design their dream space, down to the smallest detail. There is no project too big or small for our experienced team.

The Furniture

Looking to spruce up your space, but don’t need a full design consultation? We offer a free two-hour design consultation with any furniture purchase. This free consultation includes a consultation at your house where we will make suggestions on what you add or change to update your space. If you want to make more changes, we can order additional furniture or add other design elements such as chandeliers, rugs, or wall decor.

Modern contemporary furniture design is our passion, and we know what to look for in quality pieces. Susan and the rest of the team travel the world to bring you only the finest furniture. We offer a variety of luxury home furnishings from many countries, including Italy, Norway, Indonesia, and Mexico. No matter how unique or specific your tastes are, our talented design firm can find the furniture for you.

When you have decided on the furniture that you love, we take it from there. Our professionals order the furniture and once it arrives, our moving team puts it exactly where you want it. Then it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new furniture.

Our design services at San Francisco Design

“When you enjoy design,” Susan said, “ it just puts people at ease.” Susan and her team are passionate about design and its impact on clients’ lives, adding that the biggest part of their jobs is really taking the time to listen to their clients. When you choose San Francisco Design, you can be sure your voice will be heard from the beginning to the end of the process. No matter your style, Susan and her team can create an environment for you that is unlike any other.

Whether you’re starting from scratch with a new home build or renovating your current space, San Francisco Design can provide you with the design services you need. We have a talented team of interior designers in Park City, Utah who are ready to help you in selecting the perfect piece of furniture or house design. Contact us to get started with your project today. 

The post An interview with a Park City Designer – Susan Minard appeared first on San Francisco Design.

Finding your personal design style is one of the joys of furnishing and decorating a home. Understanding the basics of mid-century modern interior design can help you make your living space your own, determine when you should stick to the rules, and (most importantly) know how to break them when it’s time to add your own unique flair.

Here are the major keys when considering modern home decor, including a few pieces from our own collection that will help you establish a look you’ll love.

What Does Mid-Century Modern Style Look Like?

It’s easy to see why mid-century modern interiors remain a popular choice among home buyers, renovators, and designers. There are limitless ways to combine traditional materials with new splashes to create functional, sleek-looking spaces. Mid-century modern interiors also tend to avoid overwhelming ornamentation, instead preferring an understated, uncluttered appearance that still allows for a personal touch.

Perhaps the easiest-to-identify calling card of the mid-century style is its oft-repeated credo, “form follows function.” If an element of the design can be removed without sacrificing its usefulness and comfort, consider it expendable. Filtering each design decision through this lens results in fresh, clean lines and a sense of effortless consistency for your modern home decor.

• The Parker Sofa. Where would a mid-century modern living room be without a stylish, instantly recognizable sofa? The Parker is a tight back, tight seat, leather sofa with elongated cushions representing something of an architectural masterpiece. No matter which combination of colors and frame materials you choose, its sharp silhouette promises to mix mid-century class with modern comfort.

• The Estelle Dining Chair. This artistic wooden dining chair will fit any dining room’s mid-century aesthetic. Made with form and function in mind, optional armrests can be added or quickly stripped away. The Estelle checks all the essential mid-century modern boxes — traditional materials, a comfortable, no-frills design, and it is incredibly easy to match with a dining table to your liking.

• The Olio Modern Mirror. Functioning as both a hanging mirror and a work of art, this piece from Glassisimo is one of our favorites. Much of the mid-century design ethos hinges on contrasting traditional materials like natural wood with the newness of glass and steel. The Olio is an effortless combination of old and new that can work anywhere in the home as a splash of color, a statement piece, or as a stunning accent to a room’s angular lines.

The post What Makes a Mid-Century Modern Home and How to Master the Style appeared first on San Francisco Design.

Salt Lake City interior design trends have led many homeowners towards neutral colors like taupes, creams, or whites for several years. While these can be beautiful in the right space, brighter and more saturated tones are slowly increasing in popularity once again. In fact, paint color can significantly impact a room psychologically and aesthetically. Whichever color scheme you choose, you can make your space feel cozy, modern, contemporary, dramatic, or plain. It all depends on your choices.

What Color Should I Paint My Room?

Along with a color’s mental impact, the colors you pick can tie your space together or throw it off. That is one of the reasons many homeowners leaned towards less impactful colors. However, you can easily overcomplicate your color scheme decisions.

Don’t be scared of a bit of color in your home; our interior designers from our modern furniture store in Salt Lake City understand how to use color to your advantage. We are here to walk you through it! Below, find our go-to guide for selecting the right wall color for your home — and then learn how to let that choice guide the rest of your interior design.

How to Choose the Right Wall Color

One area that can make the biggest impact (and with the smallest price tag) is your wall color. Introducing a bolder wall color does more than fulfill a trend — it can also have a significant psychological and aesthetic impact on a room. Studies from the London Image Institute show a direct correlation between color and specific moods, such as red for excitement, strength, and love; blue for trust, peace, and loyalty; and purple for luxury, spirituality, and ambition. Whichever color you choose, know that it will immediately impact the feeling of your space. Cozy, modern, contemporary, dramatic, or calm? It all depends on your choices. Here’s how to get started:

Make A Plan

Before you head to your local paint shop, you must have a plan. Designing a space that fits your home requires considering what will go into the room. You must understand other elements in the area: existing furniture and decor, architectural elements, and even nearby rooms or spaces. Keep the rest of your home in mind throughout the color-swatching process; it’ll help you narrow your choices.

It will also help to envision your dream home. Keep in mind that changing up the color scheme of your home will dramatically affect the look and feel of your home. Fortunately, paint can always be swapped out, so have fun, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

Hue Matters More Than Shade

One of the secrets experienced interior designers understand is that a color’s hue is more critical than its shade. While picking out your paint color, choose the hue (e.g., red, white, blue, orange, or grey), then narrow it down to the specific shade (e.g., Robin’s egg, cobalt, navy, or sky). 

While an overall hue like blue can convey similar emotions, different shades bring forth nuances that can speak directly to your unique space. Dark shades can make a room feel smaller and more intimate. They are ideal for cozy spaces like an office, powder room, or bedroom. Lighter shades expand the room, making it feel open and fresh. These are great for rooms with higher foot traffic, like a kitchen, living room, or a space with lots of natural light. 

Get Inspired

The space will feel different depending on the color you choose for your walls.

Color can help create the desired mood in your home. Certain colors will evoke certain emotions in anyone who sees them. To make your bedroom feel calming, try using warm colors associated with peace and serenity, like yellow or pale blue. If you need more interior design inspiration, research what colors are trending. While trends aren’t everything regarding a lasting home design, they can introduce you to new and different colors you may not have considered.

For example, here are some of the latest trending colors to consider for your space:

Sunnyside Yellow

Yellow conveys creativity, happiness, and warmth. Bold, vibrant, and beautiful, a bright yellow will make you want to get up and dance. In place of neutrals, let your personality show through your wall colors and decorations. Create an inviting kitchen space or guest bedroom by painting your wall (or a portion of your wall) with this outstanding tone. Yellow is a great color when it comes to both interior and exterior design. It conveys creativity, happiness, warmth, and brightness.

In interior design, yellow can be a focal point or accent. For example, in a living room, you could add a yellow ottoman with some pillows to make it pop. You could add a small vase of yellow flowers in a bathroom to decorate the sink.

Dusty Pink

Compassion and sophistication come through with this muted pink tone. Not only is this a great shade for a master bedroom or bathroom, but it’s also an unexpected tone for a library or powder room. Dusty Pink is a great color for anyone who wants to add more of a touch of sophistication.

This tone is often found in rooms with very light-colored walls and furniture or in white or light-colored wall colors. Dusty Pink can be used as a very deep accent color in this color scheme, providing contrast against the lighter surroundings. This color also adds warmth to a predominantly cool-toned room, especially when paired with deep teal or turquoise blue shades.

Dusty Pink also pairs well with neutral-toned fabrics such as cream and beige. It can make for an elegant nursery wall paint color on its own if you want to go for something simple and clean. A lighter Dusty Pink can also make for a beautiful accent wall. Use this color in your living room, bedroom, or home office to accent furniture that would otherwise blend in.

Blue Breeze

This shade is peaceful and serene for anyone looking to give their home a high-class aesthetic. Blue is a classic color for a bedroom, thanks to its ability to calm your mind and lift your spirits. This shade is excellent for anyone looking to give their home an elegant and tranquil feel. The blue tone reflects peace and tranquility, making it the perfect choice for the home décor.

Adding this cool color to the home puts more emphasis on cabinets and furniture. We think this shade is ideal for the bathroom, kitchen, or home office. Pair it with white accents and simple greenery for a delicate touch.

Green, Green, Green

Bring nature inside with shades of green. From sage to seafoam, green is airy, whimsical, and has a restorative touch. Green is if you’ve been searching for a color to engage the senses and bring newfound freshness to your home. Earthy tones have the power to remind us of our connection with nature.

Smooth Gray

The best thing about gray is its versatility. If you’re in the process of updating your space, chances are you’ve noticed that the neutral shade is everywhere. Not only is gray a great option for wall colors, but it’s also perfect for furniture, cabinets, fireplaces, and everything in between. Gray can be overlapped and doesn’t clash easily with any other color in the spectrum, creating endless design possibilities. No wonder it’s one of the most popular colors for everything from wall paint to furniture.

Gray is a safe and versatile choice for any room in the house. It has been around for centuries and never seems out of style. It’s also easy to match with other colors when it comes time to refresh your decor. If you need a grounding color in your home, choose a smooth gray and enjoy it for years.

Pale Lavender

A soft lilac can be a fresh take on “neutral” as it pairs well with other colors. This whimsical shade is perfect practically anywhere and can be paired with bold modern furniture. Add this pale lilac to your dining room for a wonderfully subtle pop of color.

Choosing a single color to commit to may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Try this exercise: flip through several magazines and tear out the home images you feel drawn to. What colors or themes do these images have in common? Do you like soft, light, or darker, more saturated shades? Use this info to guide your search.

Try It Out

Always test paint colors in the space they’ll live before you decide on a color. Why? Lighting varies drastically from home to home and even from room to room. While you may love color in the paint store, you may find it looks very different in your own space. Plus, bringing a sample home lets you test the color with your furniture and decor.

If you are afraid of sampling the color on your wall, try putting it on a poster board and hanging it on the walls you intend to paint. This makes it easy to manipulate and swap out for different colors. Don’t forget: peek at the color several times throughout the day. Morning and evening light may change the color of your room.

Let Your Wall Color Guide The Rest Of Your Space

“Picking a color for a room should be a thoughtful process because colors can influence moods and feelings.” As mentioned by Interior Design Expert Lauren Nicole Shaw. You have to take into consideration that once you pick the perfect wall color, it has an impact on everything else that you put in your space. Let your wall color dictate what other colors you use in the room, picking paint colors for furniture and accents like lamps and rugs.

Once you settle on a color for your space, let it drive new design choices throughout the room. Switch up your furniture layout. Introduce a bold rug. Replace a tired light fixture. Here are some things to keep in mind when introducing new, colorful pieces to your freshly painted room:

Know The Difference Between Complementary And Analogous

When picking your color schemes, there are two ways you can go: complementary or analogous. Complementary color schemes involve colors that lie across from each other on the color wheel. These schemes tend to have a more calming effect on the mind and blend warm and cool tones. 

Analogous colors, on the other hand, include colors that sit next to each other on the wheel. These tend to be more dramatic and stimulating and are usually either warm or cool. Read below to learn how to distinguish the temperature of your color choices.

Warm Tones

Warm tones include red, orange, and yellow, and variations of those three colors. These are the colors of fire, fall leaves, sunsets, and sunrises and are generally energizing, passionate, and positive.

Red and yellow are both primary colors, with orange falling in the middle (making it a secondary color), which means warm colors are all truly warm and aren’t created by combining warm and cool colors. Use warm colors in your designs to reflect passion, happiness, enthusiasm, and energy.

Cool Tones

Cool colors, including green, blue, and purple, are often more subdued than warm colors. They are the colors of night, water, of nature and are usually calming, relaxing, and somewhat reserved. Blue is the only primary color within the cool spectrum, which means the other colors are created by combining blue with a warm color (yellow for green and red for purple).

Because of this, green takes on some of the attributes of yellow, and purple takes on some of the attributes of red. Use cool colors in your designs to give a sense of calm or professionalism.

Start Small (And Don’t Be Afraid To Go Slow)

​​One of the great things about color is that you don’t have to use a lot to make an impact. If a fresh wall color is enough of a color injection for you initially, slowly introduce more color over time. Consider adding small decorative items like pillows and vases before working on a new sofa or custom curtains. “Slow” design is smart for achieving long-lasting results you’ll love.

Use Neutrals Strategically

Neutral colors can be powerful tools in your design when paired with colorful furniture, decor, and walls. Warm or cool taupes, creams, and blacks give your eye a place to rest when scanning a colorful space. They also offer a sophisticated backdrop to help color pack a heavier punch into your design. When experimenting with color, it’s often a good idea to invest in timeless neutral pieces that can evolve with your space over time. For instance, think about using a neutral sofa as the backdrop of your colorful living room. Or, invest in high-quality neutral drapes or an area rug to give colorful chairs and artwork center stage.

Remember The 60-30-10 Rule

Last but certainly not least, learn and memorize the 60-30-10 rule — a timeless design tool every interior designer knows. It is a helpful guideline for determining how much of one color and how little of another should be used. The concept is meant to bring balance and works in tandem with the color wheel, so it can also be applied to your space

60% of your design should be the main color for your room.

Most likely, the 60% in a living room would be most of your walls, large accent pieces like area rugs, and perhaps a sofa. The 60% color anchors the space and is a backdrop for what comes next.

30% of your design should be the secondary color.

You’ll be using half as much of this color as your main color. So this could be draperies, accent chairs, bed linens, painted furniture, or even creating an accent wall. The secondary color supports the main color but is different enough to set them apart and give the room interest. The real fun comes with the accent color you’ll be adding next.

10% of your design should be the accent color.

This is your throw pillows, decorative accessories, and artwork for a living room. For a bedroom, this could be accent pillows on the bed, bedside table lamps, and nightstand candles. Your accent color can be pulled from artwork in the room or from a printed fabric on larger items.

The 60-30-10 rule is a bit of a cheat sheet for novice DIY designers. It can make choosing color simple and help you achieve balance in decorating.

Get Colorful with Help From our Interior Designers

A fresh color can do wonders for helping you see your space in a totally new light. And if you’re looking for a professional opinion, chat with our interior designer team at San Francisco Design. Our modern furniture stores in Salt Lake City & Park City, UT, have the fresh, trendy pieces you need to revitalize your space after a fresh coat of paint. Contact us or stop by a showroom today to see what’s new.

The post The Importance of Color in Interior Design appeared first on San Francisco Design.