Posts

RLPS INTERIORS: Celebrating 30 Years!

baby photos of the rlps interiors team In 1987, Ronald Reagan was our president, Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Alan Greenspan took over as chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.  American Motors was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation, Microsoft released Windows 2.0 and Fox Broadcasting made its prime-time television debut. We listened to some of the top hits that year by Whitney Houston, Madonna and U2, and flocked to the box office to see Lethal Weapon, The Princess Bride and Dirty Dancing.

And in 1987, the first interior designer was brought on board at RLPS! The goal to provide a full range of integrated architectural and interior design services remains our mission today. A few of our interior designers shared photos of themselves in 1987 for the header photo above. Continue reading

WELCOMING GESTURES: Hospitality Design Trends

Hospitality Cover Graphic The word hospitality traces its origin back to the Latin words hostis, which means stranger or enemy, and the more positive hospitem, which means guest or host. The English terms hospital, host, hostel, hotel and hospitality all come from these same roots. Interestingly the first hospitality venues were hospitals, which in their initial inception provided lodging and entertainment for pilgrims traveling to religious shrines. This eventually led to our current concept of hospitality which encompasses friendly reception and generous treatment of guests or strangers.

We take many of our design cues for a wide range of senior living, healthcare, educational and other commercial spaces from today’s hospitality venues, the best of which set the standards for brand identity, style and guest comfort and enjoyment.  The following hospitality trends are examples of contemporary interior design techniques and finishes that will add visual interest, subtle sophistication and personality to a wide range of settings. Continue reading

Harnessing The Power of Purple

Purple Interiors Cover Graphic Whether you love it or hate it—and you are likely to fall into one of those two categories—purple is a color option that makes a statement.  Combining the calming qualities of blue and the energetic properties of red in varying proportions, purple rarely functions as a neutral tone.  Whether a light lavender-gray or a deep plum tone, purple makes an impact.

Despite the fact that it’s fairly rare in the natural world in comparison to other colors, purple (or violet) is the most powerful wavelength of the rainbow, just a few steps away from x-rays and gamma rays.  Purple is often associated with royalty and luxury, probably because the earliest dyes were primarily reserved for the garments of emperors.  This was due to the cost and complexity of extracting dye from thousands of shellfish for a single garment. Purple can also be associated with decadence and excess, however in many cultures it is a color of mourning. Continue reading

SHELF HELP: Stylizing Your Shelves

Shelf Help Cover Graphic We have to admit, one of our pet peeves as commercial interior designers is working with a client to incorporate beautiful custom millwork or casework shelving into their project, only to visit the site months later to find that the shelves are empty. This is a missed opportunity to create a positive first impression, add visual interest, reinforce your brand, and ultimately define the personality of your space.

This type of accessorizing, to add the finishing touches and pull everything together, is a service RLPS Interiors offers, but sometimes clients opt to handle this in-house. We understand that it can be difficult to know where to start, so we’ve pulled together a few guidelines that apply to both commercial and residential spaces. Continue reading

SERENITY NOW! Exploring Minimalist Design

Minimalist Design Cover Image Most Seinfeld fans can remember George Costanza’s father randomly shouting “serenity now” in an effort to achieve calm in the chaotic world of the Costanza family. However, he may have been able to achieve the same effect by simply eliminating some of the clutter in his home.

Drawing from Japanese design principles, minimalism exemplifies the concept of “less is more.” Simplicity, openness, and often symmetry are some of this disciplined style’s guiding principles. And while the removal of non-essential elements is key, the end goal is not to create stark or sterile spaces. Instead, a minimalist approach to design helps draws attention to outside views, architectural features, key furnishings or striking artwork. The following are a few minimalist design tips to help create peaceful, appealing spaces by reducing visual distractions and interior clutter.

Continue reading

TALKING TURKEY! Kitchen Design Ideas

Kitchens Cover Graphic As we approach the time of year when baking and family dinners are a priority, let’s take a look at the epicenter of activity – the kitchen. Once relegated to function behind the scenes, the kitchen has benefited greatly from today’s open concept floor plans. Kitchens are now a gathering hub, used for both cooking and entertainment. Even if you won’t be hosting any family dinners or consider yourself more of an eater than a chef, don’t overlook the importance of melding form and function to create an appealing and accessible space you will likely use several times a day every day.

Color Trends: When it comes to color, today’s cabinet selections represent opposite ends of the spectrum. White cabinets are still popular and pair nicely with today’s dark wood flooring options. We have found some great ceramic tile and vinyl options that provide the look of wood but easier maintenance and durability, particularly for commercial applications. In recent years, darker wood cabinets in natural cherry, walnut or mahogany and dark stains like espresso and clove, have become increasingly popular. These are often paired with white countertops and lighter flooring selections.

Continue reading

MAKE A STATEMENT: GO RED!

Make a Statement with Red

February is a good time to explore the power and possibilities for going red. Not only is this the time of year for ruby roses and Cupid’s arrows, it’s also the month to “go red for heart health.”  Even the experts at the Pantone Color Institute have selected Marsala, “a naturally robust and earthy wine red,” as their 2015 color of the year.

To state the obvious, red is a bold color that draws attention to itself—think fire hydrants or stop signs. Despite its energy and intensity, red can work with almost any color scheme, adding drama, spicing up a neutral palette or drawing attention to features that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.  Many designers feel red raises the energy level in a room. According to Better Homes and Gardens, red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and increase heart rate. Red is also credited with stimulating the appetite which is why you’ll often find this vibrant color option selected for restaurant interiors.

Red can create the “wow” factor for your rooms in a way that no other color can.  However, many people are reluctant to introduce this attention-grabber into their home. Although it’s unlikely to ever be described as a wallflower, the color red can be used in a myriad of ways without overpowering. There’s no need to fear red if you follow a few simple guidelines for utilizing this commanding color with confidence.

A Pop of Red: This painted table from "I'm Busy Procrastinating" is a great example of how a pop of red draws attention and adds life.
This painted table is a great example of how a pop of red draws attention and adds life. From I’m Busy Procrastinating.
  • A little red goes a long way.  Red accessories and lighting selections are a great choice to perk up any room. Pops of bright red for an accent wall, pillow or throw rug work well for contemporary designs while the same features in a rich burgundy provide a more traditional aesthetic.  A bold red accent can also be used to draw attention to specific elements in the room, like painting the inside back of a bookshelf or china cabinet.
  • Red is a statement color, so choose carefully.  Reds that lean toward orange tones generate energy; while more purplish shades like burgundy or maroon can make a room feel cozy.  When combined with other colors, red offers even more versatility. Red with light gray (the new beige) and a few pink accents fosters a soft, feminine style.  Red with a touch of brown or purple works well with natural wood tones and will feel warmer than primary red with hints of pink.
  • Red can influence the perceived size of your room:  Painting your walls red will typically make a room feel more enclosed and intimate. Conversely, limiting this powerhouse to selected areas will highlight features without being overwhelming.  Using red on one wall of a long, narrow room can visually minimize the perceived length. Particularly when using red as a bold statement on every wall, balance the richness of the red with soft neutral shades for floors and furnishings.  Deep reds often absorb light, making a room feel more enclosed, while brighter reds allow light to bounce off walls for more of an open feeling.
Recognizing the right red. This illustration shows how a basic red changes its appearance in relation to other colors in your room. Notice how dull the red appears against an orange background and its crisp and slightly larger appearance when adjacent to black.
This illustration shows how a basic red changes its appearance in relation to other colors in your room. Notice how subdued the red appears against an orange background.

This versatile color can feel contemporary, traditional, rustic, timeless or romantic, depending on the shade and context. Red is a great complement to black or white, a sophisticated, classic combination.  However there is no need to limit yourself to this palette.  Red highlights can warm up a cool blue and white room, or a combination of neutral beiges and whites with softly patterned burgundy accents can create a relaxing color scheme.  A vivacious mix of spicy reds, deep oranges, bright yellows and lime green work well with deep neutral flooring and walls for a lively gathering space like a family room, kitchen or sunroom.  Similarly, brick reds work well when used in combination with soft yellows for a country French color scheme.  If you want to include a mix of rustic antiques with contemporary elements consider a color scheme of crimson red, deep, rich browns and light tan or beige neutrals to successfully integrate the traditional with the modern.

From crimson, ruby and scarlet to auburn, chestnut and vermilion, there are endless ways to use this warm shade.  And if you’re not quite ready to go red, consider pinks, corals or mauves.  These alternatives, incorporating a touch of red, offer many of the same opportunities for enlivening and adding dramatic flair to your interiors.

Adding dram to dining from Houzz.
Red adds drama to this dining room featured on Houzz.

 

Color of the year, marsala, featured in a living room on Houzz.
Color of the year, marsala, featured in a living room on Houzz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One last bit of trivia about red: According to Benjamin Moore’s Facebook fans, the most popular rooms for red are bedrooms and bath/powder rooms! Some favorite reds are caliente (AF-290), moroccan red (1309), crimson (1299), and patriot red (2080-20).

Abby Stewart, IIDA, has more than 10 years of experience as a commercial interior designer.  Her top tip for using red is to keep in mind that small doses are often more effective than large amounts of this strong color.