Roman shades are basically the chameleon of window treatments.  They can conform to almost any decorating style, window size/shape, they have top down/bottom up features, blackout lining, cordless options for child safety, the list goes on and on.  So, how do you determine which one fits your style, home, and personality?

Here, I’ve broken down the basic five types of Roman shades to correspond with specific lifestyle and decorating tastes.  As I stated before, they are a chameleon breed so there is no hard and fast rule to follow.  Just trust your instincts and imagination to select the best choice for your home!

Classic Roman Shades – relaxed americana style, painted, weathered furniture, twill slipcovered upholstery, casual, whimsical accessories, kid-friendly spaces, crisp color palettes, cottage stripes, farmer’s market, coastal indulgences

Flat Roman Shades – sophisticated decor, understated elegance, clean lines, tailored furniture, rich wood finishes, neutral palettes, drum shades, contrast banding, semi-formal entertaining style, cocktail hour, natural light, low-pile wool carpets

Relaxed Roman Shades – shabby chic feel, subtle toile patterns, feminine lines, relaxed refinement, antiques, soft, natural linens, abundance of pillows, billowy fabrics, fresh flowers, fragrant candles, Parisian influences

Soft Fold Roman Shades – classic, traditional style, opulent silks, velvets, and damasks, leather sofas, warm wood paneling, nailhead details, turned legs, formal entertaining, masculine environments, architectural features

Solar Roman Shades – modern power couple, minimalist accessories, sleek furnishings, art displayed like galleries, linear forms, bold accent colors against neutral backdrops, lively dinner parties, open floor plans, cutting-edge technology

If you get stuck, consult with one of our talented team of designers!

Originally written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  View post here.  You can see more of Kimberly’s work here.

You see a cocktail table and fall in love. You wonder if it would work in your home. You try to describe your home to the salesperson. He/she asks “Is your style modern or contemporary?” Your mind scrambles. Am I modern or contemporary? How do I know? How do I define my style?

This scenario probably plays out in your head every time you head out furniture shopping or when you are browsing through magazines. When shown a photo, chances are you know if you like the design aesthetic right away. But if you are asked to describe it, you are stumped. I’m not a designer, you think…how would a designer describe my style?

Relax, design is very hard to define, especially in the context of your personal style. The beauty of style is just that, it’s all yours to define. That being said, there are some basic design principles to help differentiate the elements of each style.

Let’s start with two that are often used interchangeably but, I believe, are in fact very different: modern & contemporary.

Contemporary design gained popularity in the 80′s and is usually characterized by unusual color palettes, graphic patterns, slick surfaces, asymmetrical designs and rounded forms. Lots of stainless steel, lucite and polished marble details abound in this style. You also will be hard-pressed to find a straight line with a multitude of curves and irregular shapes dominating the scene.

Modern design elements, on the other hand, have been around since the mid-century and go in and out of fashion as design trends evolve. Modern fundamentals are often represented by clean lines, grounded color palettes, warm wood tones, symmetry and balance in the space. Striped area rugs, linear patterns and natural elements contribute to an overall uncluttered aesthetic.

Modern design has most recently become incorporated into the mainstream by way of the hospitality industry. Think crisp, clean “hotel” bedding and spa-like suites that leave you craving the same style in your own home. Who doesn’t want to feel like they are on vacation 24/7?

As I mentioned before, the great thing about your style is that it is all yours to define. You can pull elements from both contemporary & modern design and have a cohesive home.

But we will leave that for a future discussion. Right now, I’m heading off to my “hotel” bed!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com.

Those who know me best are well aware of my ability to envision possibilities in almost any space and are always pleased with the finished product. However, knowing my visionary ability means they are also cognizant of my low tolerance for detail work and executing these visions myself.

Therefore, when I conceptualized transforming this drab dresser into a modern classic a mere 2 weeks before my Habitat for Humanity deadline, I received a lot of eyebrow raises and not a lot of paintbrushes raised. Which is not quite what I had hoped, as I am also acutely aware of my shortcomings. But alas, I couldn’t let my weakness (nor sleep) stand in the way of my imagination.

See before shots of the dresser and a pillow which provided inspiration (and most of the eyebrow raises, I confess).

before shot

inspiration photo

Luckily, my dad was willing to help with the basecoat of paint and then turned it over, in his words “you’re on your own, kid”. He didn’t want to touch that chevon pattern with a ten foot pole. Neither did my aunt, the queen of DIY projects, who I thought would surely have some sage advice.

So, I guess it really was up to me…hmmm, where to begin? On top of my habitat project, I had quite a few other things on my plate and didn’t have a lot of time to devote to getting this completed. The first few evenings were spent trying to get the dimensions of the chevron pattern down and figure out a template to apply the contrasting color. I painted the drawers white and was using the orange as the contratst. I would give you pointers but I honestly don’t know how I figured it out and I threw away the paint-crusted template as soon as I was done. I got so frustrated at one point that I almost gave up. The template moved while I tried to apply the orange paint which required 6 hours of touching up the white and creating “edges” where there were none. My dad came back on the project to apply the clear coats and the handles since I had run out of time & energy!

chocolate paint coat applied

chevron pattern on drawers!

After all the work, I am very happy with how the dresser turned out. The homeowner is extremely pleased as well. I don’t know that I would attempt it again but I feel proud that I was able to execute my vision on my own. I now have a much greater respect for other DIY-ers and especially my dad. Thank you for the help!

finished product - voila!

Originally written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  View the post here.  You can see more of Kimberly’s work here.

So, the groundhog saw his shadow and we have 6 more weeks of winter, blah! Time to start planning for spring while we wait…I’m a huge planner! Getting things done is another story, but at least I have a plan

In searching for unique things to admire, I came across a few global items and a few right here in St. Louis. Here are my inspirations for the last days of winter.

Birds
If you have stepped into Pottery Barn (link to www.potterybarn.com) lately, you may mistakenly think you are in the Butterfly House, but alas it is just the season for birds! Pillows, dishes, napkin rings, you name it, they are selling it. Not to mention, the cages that house the birds. There is one that is bigger than my dining table, I swear!

Map furniture
I’ve always been fan of the subtle texture of map wallcovering and it’s ability to transform a space into a destination. See one of my favorites from Ralph Lauren below.

Now, Wisteria has come out with a piece of furniture with the map wallcovering applied. You could probably do this yourself to an old dresser or parsons style table. Love the look!

Colorful outdoor chairs
I have always been a huge fan of these recycled plastic Adirondack chairs from Polywood’s South Beach Collection. I saw them on display last year at Suburban Leisure Center. They are extremely durable and reasonably priced considering they will last for centuries. And in the fun fiesta colors, they can’t be beat!

Until I just fell in love with these adorable children’s chairs from Tolix, a French company that will hopefully be selling these in the U.S…keep your fingers crossed!

Also, I was browsing the Janus et Cie website for new introductions and saw these fabulous chairs. Not sure which ones they are but so freaking cute!

That’s all for now, as I find more things, I’ll be sure to pass them along!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com.

So, you love to wear that blue sweater and it really makes your eyes sparkle.  You always get lots of compliments and basically deep blue is your favorite color.  How do you incorporate that into your decorating scheme?  Bold accent colors are not for the faint of heart!  For those of you that love color, here are some great ways to use them in your home!

As with anything, it is all about balance.  When you use a bold color on an accent wall, make sure it is the focal point of the room and that the rest of the pieces complement the intensity.  For instance, this blue wall is deep and rich.  The collection of white furniture gives it the bold contrast and, in conjunction with the chocolate accents, the weight needed to counteract the depth of color.  The result is perfect balance.

Bold Color Inspiration

The same is true for the red accent in the photo below.  The black and white color palette, along with the beautiful pattern of the rug, visually moves your eye around the room and ìlandsî on the deep red headboard.

Statement Headboard

Below, is an example of 2 accent colors.  The deep khaki, almost chocolate, color is basically a neutral since it encompasses the entire space.  The soft French blue door, along with the punch of pink on the settee jolt life into the space and instantly make it a more interesting place to arrive.

Bold Color Accents

Here, they have used a more subtle accent color because the entire palette is subdued.  The color is used in smaller things but it is repeated enough to be effective.

Neutral with Blue Accents

This kitchen is anything but subdued!  How fun and bright is this blue island and matching floor?  In the case of this ìaccentî color, it is used so much that it is almost considered a ìneutralî.  Notice, how they still balanced it with lots of white, natural light and high ceilings.  Beautifully done, it is definitely eye-catching!

Be Daring!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com

Welcome to a new series of blogs designed to help you prepare your budget for your remodeling or new construction project. The first topic we are going to tackle is tile for kitchen backsplashes. There are numerous sizes and materials to choose from. How do you know what is right for your budget and your overall design? Here a re a few tips that will help you get started!

Tip #1: Backsplash tile pricing cannot be compared to floor tile. A lot of people think that since they purchased a 12″ x 12″ porcelain floor tile for $4/sq. ft. that the backsplash tile should be the same price or less expensive because they are smaller tiles. This is definitely not the case. It is more expensive for vendors to manufacture smaller tiles and typically you have much less square feet of tile on your backsplash compared to your floor. If you only want to spend $4/sq. ft. on your backsplash, you better love Dal-Tile 4″ x 4″ tile in white, white or white. You need to be prepared to spend around $15/sq. ft. as a starting point for backsplash tile.

Tip #2: Beware of trends. Glass mosaics have been the “rage” for several years now. But how long can it last? It depends on how well you integrate the glass into your overall design. Browse through a tile showroom, like The Gallery at ISC Surfaces, and you are dazzled by brilliant blue glass and different iridescent versions of mosaic tile. Glass manufacturers want to show you all of their capabilities, which are amazing, but many are best suited for commercial applications. Go visit your favorites at the latest hot spot but don’t install them in your kitchen! Paint is easy to replace; tearing out custom tile every 2 years is a whole other ballgame.

Tip #3: Be mindful of your countertop pattern. If you, like most people, have selected a beautiful granite countertop with a large amount of “movement”, you need to make sure your backsplash tile doesn’t compete with it. A simpler backsplash with a busy granite creates a more harmonious kitchen design. The same is true in reverse, the simpler the granite the more leeway with your backsplash. Seeking out photos in magazines is very helpful to narrowing down your style.

Obviously, there are many materials to work with and they will impact your budget in different ways. Here is a general guide to sizes and material costs along with photos for your reference. I always advise my clients to keep their minds open when selecting backsplash tiles. The things you think are expensive sometimes are not and vice versa. It is wise to consult with an interior designer to help create a timeless look while staying within your budget.

Tumbled Stone: There is an abundance of certain natural stones, namely limestone and travertine, that are reasonable for backsplashes. They often come tumbled in the following sizes: 3″ x 6″, 4″ x 4″, 6″ x 6″ and cost around $7/st. ft. – $15/sq. ft.

Natural Stone Mosaics: A few vendors, namely Walker Zanger, seek out higher quality stones and offer unique sizes, colors and shapes. They are very beautiful and often the images seen in magazines. They are also much more expenssive than their tumbled counterparts. You are looking at around $35/sq. ft. – $200/sq. ft. for this type of stone.

Porcelain Tile Mosaics: A small sampling of the offerings above are “re-created” by manufacturers in porcelain tile for two reasons. The first is maintenance and the second is cost. However, mosaic tiles are not cheap and sometimes the “fake” version is almost as expensive as the natural stone, so it is important to do your homework. These range in price from approximately $20/sq. ft. – $40/sq. ft.

Glass Tile Mosaics: Another versatile backsplash idea is the glass mosaic tile. 1″ x 1″ tiles in a huge range of colors and finishes (matte, gloss, iridescent) are available from a variety of manufacturers, some even made from recycled content. Recently, more shapes and custom color blends, including glass and stone combinations, have come on the market adding to the overall confusion for homeowners. Typically, the price range for glass mosaics is close to $35/sq. ft. – $100/sq. ft.

Machine-Made Ceramic Tile: As I mentioned before, Dal-Tile offers a lot of options for $4/sq. ft., approximately ten different very basic shades in a 4″ x 4″ or 6″ x 6″ tile. These are great for bathrooms because of the large quantity needed but for your kitchen you normall want something more special. I will say that basic white 3″ x 6″ “subway” tile set staggered joint has and always will be one of the most timeless backsplashes and is very affordable.

Hand-Made Ceramic Tile: A more unique, organic look is hand-made tile. The undulations in the shading and shape of the tile create a subtle movement without being too busy. These tiles have a very “old world” feel and have increased in popularity in recent years. They are also available in more creative shapes, such as a harlequin/diamond shape and elongated or large scale “subway” tiles along with a multitude of colors and crackle glazes. Hand-made tile can start at $15/sq. ft. and increase to upwards of $55/sq. ft.

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com

It’s 4:59, the clock hands are slowly ticking away the moments of time until you can escape your 9 to 5 routine and slip into something more comfortable…

Inspiration Photo from House Beautiful

Cut to 5:25…You are home on your plush down sofa, cocktail in hand, listening to your best friend dish about the latest celebrity gossip as you both nosh on homemade crab cakes and crudite.

In 2008, this scene may have played out in a fabulous booth at Cafe Eau. But alas, we are in a recession and have learned that for the price of one great martini at a bar, you can get almost an entire bottle of vodka and have a similar experience at home.

The 50′s era routine of having an apres work drink in the formal living room while dinner is cooking is coming back in full force. This trend coincides with homeowners’ desire for beautiful and functional furniture and entertaining at home. More people are starting to realize that great furniture is an investment and should last for generations to come.

Here are some fabulous pieces to inspire your new environment. All you need are the cocktails – shaken, not stirred!

Salon Chair by Baker Furniture

Campaign Bar from Williams Sonoma Home

Inspiration Photo from House Beautiful

Here are a few more specific ideas for pulling together a very “cocktail chic” room of your own!

Serena Chandelier from Oly Studio

   
Fabrics from F. Schumacher & Co.

Isaac Sofa from Oly Studio

Agnes Cocktail Table from Oly Studio

Harlow Side Chair

Yves Side Table from Oly Studio

Cosmopolitan Bar Cart from Williams Sonoma Home

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com.

At a young age, we are taught to “think outside the box” and discover our own uniqueness. However, when it comes to interior decorating, many people have a hard time finding their vision. I’m here to offer some ideas for non-traditional ways of decorating for the holidays.

Color is a good place to start. Many homeowners have asked for ways to incorporate holiday themes without adding in green and red. My answer to that is usually texture and sparkle! But really all white dinnerware deserves a touch of color, it doesn’t have to be red (see image below), it could be blue, purple, augergine, whatever matches your kitchen & your personality!

I saw this table display at Pottery Barn, hanging the white platters on the solid color wall, and I thought it was a great idea. Now, you don’t want all your serving platters hanging when you need to use them for serving but you could replicate this look with a mixed-match set of dishes or things found at a flea market. You could also add a bit of holiday flair by hanging ornaments randomly on 3-5 platters. This is actually a fun look that works through all seasons.

Another display that caught my eye was this one at Pizzaz 2 Interiors in Lamp & Lantern Village. I just discovered this little store/interior design firm and I love what they have to offer. Lots of great ideas big & small in such a small space! Anyway, I love how the contemporary deer head with a simple wreath offsets the elegant and colorful bowl of ornaments. That’s a very easy thing to accomplish, as we all have extra ornaments laying around.

Turquoise is the hot color for 2010 and we are already seeing it show up in fashion and home accessories. These are great examples of holiday scapes without the traditional red & green. A collection of white vases, urns and objects feels crisp against the deep blue and lime green color combination. Below that, the fireplace mantel with soft aqua lamps is very unique in that a flamingo is the focus rather than a winter wreath. Both photos were taken at MKS Designs in Lamp & Lantern.

Which brings me to this beautiful seashell holiday tree from Wisteria (see photo below). I love it! I love the soft blue mixed with the natural khaki and white tones. The flocked tree goes against anything you would see in Florida yet it works beautifully!

So, who says you have to hang a wreath on your front door? The entrance to MKS Designs shows off these unique over-scaled baskets filled with large ornaments and a bit of pine greenery mixed in. What a statement!

Speaking of wreaths, I love this wreath with silver branches instead of greenery. So fun and festive! Also, this boxed topiary is a cute little addition to an end table and it still pulls off the holiday spirit with an unusual shape and animal print container.

Lastly, another easy tip for your front porch is the bronze pot filled with tree trimmings. Replace your summer flowers with extra branches from the bottom of your tree and you’re done! if you want to embellish this look, just add sparkly ornaments or a string of white lights. Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are almost upon us. While the weather is a bit behind the atmosphere in our stores, there’s no denying it. We are rapidly on our way to dreaming of sugar plums and hearing reindeer’s footsteps overhead.

Some of you may have noticed in recent years that the skinny taper candle had lost its place as the centerpiece of more modern tables in favor of its fatter cousin, the pillar candle. While the pillar served up long hours of burning time and an ambient inner glow, nothing rivals the scale and drama of long sleek taper candles.

I am glad to celebrate their return in two beautiful settings I captured at Niche & Pottery Barn. First, I happened to stop by Niche while they were setting up for a photo shoot and was able to get a sneak peak at a decorating event they are hosting 11.18.09 & 12.9.09. (Call 314- 621-8131 for more details).

I was drawn to the juxtaposition of the modern glass orbs and the elegantly traditional mercury candle holders. Most people think modern design has to be very clean and structured but this tablescape shows how whimsical elements play nicely with modern furniture.

Here’s a beautiful hot of the entire setting with abstract art as an unexpected backdrop element. I also love the little craft-paper wrapped boxes. Wonder what’s inside!

Now off to Pottery Barn at Plaza Frontenac for more holiday inspiration. Lo and behold, they have revived the taper candles as well! I fell in love with this organic tabletop display that is perfect for displaying all your favorite elements in between dinner parties.

Love the idea of mixing in potted poinsettias and moss covered objects to balance with the shiny silver candleholders and mercury ornaments!

Of course it wouldn’t be Pottery Barn if there wasn’t some unusual element added to the mix. Their new concept for this season is hanging ladders decorated with ornaments over dining tables. The catalog has lots of photos of this as well. You can definitely achieve a similar look without the ladder and possibly a lot less headache!

Here’s to happy decorating for your friends and family this holiday season and I’ll be sending more tips and trends your way soon!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com