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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Interior Design is Going Blue

various images from around the home with blue elements

Designers often look to nature for inspiration and this year color experts and paint manufacturers have taken a similar approach. Both the Pantone Color Institute and Sherwin Williams chose deep shades of blue, associated with the sea and sky, for their 2020 color of the year designations. Continue reading

THANKFUL FOR NEW INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATIONS: Exploring BDNY 2019

rlps interiors staff behind the BD|NY sign As professional members of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the RLPS Interiors team regularly researches new products, evolving code requirements and industry trends.  We take many of our design cues from hospitality venues, the best of which set the standards for brand identity, distinctive style and positive user experiences.

According to its website, BDNY is the creative nexus of the industry—bringing 8,000+ designers, architects, purchasing agents, hoteliers, owners and developers together with 750+ inventive manufacturers of design elements for hospitality interiors.  This year several members of our team had the opportunity to attend the event and participate in site tours, product exhibitions and continuing education seminars. Continue reading

INTERIOR DESIGN RENOVATION: 3 Rules for Reinvention

before & after photo collage of interior spaces Over time, buildings wear out, consumer expectations change and attitudes adjust. Reinvention is an ongoing and essential process of evolving and adapting to changing trends, commercial design standards and consumer priorities. Interior design reinvention provides an exciting opportunity for good stewardship and long-term viability, while breathing new life into existing spaces. Continue reading

CHEERS! Interior Design for Bars in Senior Living

collage of photos taken at bars Recently during focus groups at a senior living community, we were somewhat surprised when an elderly woman living in personal care pulled us aside to share her desire to have a designated space for happy hour so she could enjoy a drink before dinner. In retrospect, it probably should not have come as a surprise that someone would simply want to continue a cherished tradition she had enjoyed throughout her adult life. While health issues or medications can be an issue for some older adults, many are increasingly expecting appealing bar options in senior living. This upward trajectory is expected to continue as the Baby Boomers reach typical move-in ages.  A growing number of active adult and senior living communities are introducing sleek bars, cozy pubs or flexible lounge spaces to respond to the demand. Some communities are also incorporating specialty coffee and tea selections into their bars to provide something for everyone. Continue reading

RESIMERCIAL INTERIORS: Workspaces That Feel Like Home

Resimercial design collage As the lines have blurred between work and home, interior designers have helped employers create more varied, flexible settings that feel less like a formal institution and more like a comfortable home-away-from-home.  Resimercial design, creating workspaces that feel more homelike than corporate, is a fairly recent trend that has grown in popularity.  According to Wayfair, the style became a “legitimate design movement,” at the 2017 NeoCon conference, a major annual event for the commercial design industry. To explore this new style, we’ve asked a few of our interior designers to share their thoughts about the resimercial design trend.  Continue reading

Digging into the Details

collage of interior design details When we think about interior design, we tend to focus on the visual aspects.  Magazines, home improvement shows and retailers highlight “wow” spaces, focusing on the final touches and products deemed essential for beautiful results.  Other aspects, such as the details of functionality, comfort, ergonomics, health or safety, are often an afterthought, if we consider them at all. Continue reading

KITCHEN DESIGN 2019: Five of Our Favorite Trends

kitchen design trends panel Island workstations, smart appliances, accessible cabinets, touch faucets, lighting innovations—the list goes on and on for what’s new in kitchen design! Eric McRoberts and Jessica Jack attended this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to see the latest innovations and products that manufacturers are featuring, especially since their top picks are typically based on consumer demands, color trends and emerging technologies. The following are a few of our favorite concepts which can be applied to kitchens of any size. Continue reading

CHAIR DESIGN STUDIES: An Interior Designer Shares His Personal Journey

collage with different chair designs Many members of our interior design team have artistic talents and creative interests they pursue in their personal time. For RLPSer and Interior Designer Matt Barley, that includes chair design, i.e, designing and crafting his own chairs.

According to Wikipedia, the chair has been used since antiquity, although for many centuries it was a symbolic article of state and dignity rather than a functional item for ordinary use. Once chairs emerged beyond privileged status, they became ubiquitous in many cultures leading up to today where chairs are an integral furnishing selection for homes, offices, schools, restaurants, meeting spaces, theaters, and numerous other settings. Design considerations include durability, ergonomics, functional features (e.g. stackable or folding, task specific heights or styles, etc.), maintenance and, of course, design style. Continue reading

LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES: Interior Design Strategies for Smaller Homes

collage of ideas for small spaces Tiny living is having its day, with more people than ever taking on the challenge of living small or at least paring back to focus on the essentials in small spaces.  By now most of us are at least somewhat familiar with Marie Kondo’s recommendations for getting rid of items that no longer “spark joy.”   Even thrift stores are feeling the effects of her books and Netflix series with donations trending up from previous years. Continue reading

WINTER WARMTH: Interior Design Strategies to Beat the Winter Blues

various photos with white or light color themes Record-breaking lows, wind chills, snowstorms and precipitation mixes can make the winter months seem long in much of the United States.  Even places like Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California have recently experienced unusual snowfalls.  As many of us are already looking forward to the arrival of spring in the next month or two, there are a number of ways to brighten interior spaces during the remaining cold and dark days of winter. Continue reading