Located between Truckee and North Lake Tahoe, Martis Camp of the Martis Valley was the ideal location for this specific clients’ vacation home. BCDA designed the house interior from the very beginning and worked closely with the architect. This home has a contemporary feel, with dark colors, and minimal furniture. Below are three videos that highlight senior designer, Vivian Solemani’s, progress throughout different stages of the project.
In addition, this house is one of six chosen to be a part of Martis Home Tour 2010, benefiting Excellence in Education. If interested in viewing the home, tickets for the tour are available for purchase through the website and the event takes place on August 7, 2010 from 10am-4pm.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Martis Camp
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Keeping it Trendy
These days we are all just trying our hardest to keep up with the current trends. We all want our house to be stylish, but most importantly we don’t want to be stuck with outdated furniture, trends from decades ago, or a house that makes guests feel like they just traveled back in time.
Conclusion to this dilemma? Make the foundation for the room you are designing basic, so if and when the time comes for an update, no drastic changes need to be made. Keep your walls and furniture neutral, grey is a great neutral for 2010, with an accent wall or piece that adds some character. The rest of the accessories in the room, such as artwork, carpets, and coffee tables are easier to swap out in the future.
When deciding how to ramp up the energy in the room after a neutral base color has been decided, first consider how the room will be used and what energy you want it to give off. If it is a formal sitting room, static pink is most likely not the best option. However, if it is a family room, possibly an energetic blue or green would suit the room well.
Colors that are sweeping the trends of 2010 are played up earth tones. Such would consist of bright oranges, fun greens, a mix of purples and exciting yellows. Above is an example of a living room using the neutral gray and bright red as an accent, the picture is from Fresh Contemporary Interiors.
Conclusion to this dilemma? Make the foundation for the room you are designing basic, so if and when the time comes for an update, no drastic changes need to be made. Keep your walls and furniture neutral, grey is a great neutral for 2010, with an accent wall or piece that adds some character. The rest of the accessories in the room, such as artwork, carpets, and coffee tables are easier to swap out in the future.
When deciding how to ramp up the energy in the room after a neutral base color has been decided, first consider how the room will be used and what energy you want it to give off. If it is a formal sitting room, static pink is most likely not the best option. However, if it is a family room, possibly an energetic blue or green would suit the room well.
Colors that are sweeping the trends of 2010 are played up earth tones. Such would consist of bright oranges, fun greens, a mix of purples and exciting yellows. Above is an example of a living room using the neutral gray and bright red as an accent, the picture is from Fresh Contemporary Interiors.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Inspiration for a Los Gatos, CA Home
Last month we completed a project for a residence in Los Gatos and we are very excited about the collaboration with the client. Daniel J Boyd Construction was the builder for this home.
In this four part series we highlighted how to take inspiration and design goals for the overall project and then how to break it into major elements: space planning, exterior finishes and interior finishes. While the home is not 100% completed in this series of videos, it is nearly so and in the coming month the final landscaping and minor finish work will be done. You might have to use a little imagination of your own to see the exterior patios and landscape as it will be when it is finished. Please take a look at these different segments with Vivian Soleimani, Sr Designer for BCDA as she talks thru the goals and products used while touring the home.
Part one overall design inspiration.
Video - Part 1: Design Inspiration
Video - Part 1: Design Inspiration
Part two covers the challenges and client objectives for the space planning. This home is for a young family with 2 children. It is essential that there is room for this active family and an easy indoor/outdoor lifestyle to suit the climate and location.
Video - Part 2: Space Plan
Video - Part 2: Space Plan
Part three begins to detail the exterior finish details and why specific elements were chosen.
Video - Part 3: Exterior Finishes
Video - Part 3: Exterior Finishes
Finally in part 4 the many details on the interior finish are discussed. This house has a very clear and consistent contemporary feel. It is also welcoming and durable for the young family. Many of the details are the very newest in design and construction techniques.
Video - Part 4: Interior Finishes
Video - Part 4: Interior Finishes
What is your feedback from the project? We'd love to hear your comments.
Tips on starting design process
One of the aspects we love about interior design is getting to know our clients well and understanding their lifestyle and personal design preferences. Of course there are many ways to get to know our clients better, but we have found that traveling together to different design centers really brings out the landscape of options and ideas in a very creative and collaborative setting.
We hope if you are considering hiring an interior designer that you will opt to take this step and ask your design team to show you many different venues and showrooms for different aspects of art, furnishings and home decor.
Who knows, you may find that there is something incredibly appealing about mixing in pieces from outside your traditional comfort zone. Inspiration comes to us in all kinds of places and at unexpected times, the key is to be open and ready for inspiration to strike!
California Home + Design Awards Gala
Sometimes it's not all work and no play for our office, in fact on February 3 we were invited to the San Francisco awards gala for 2010 California Home + Design award winners. Not only was it a wonderful place to reconnect with long time colleagues and friends, but we were able to appreciate the excellent work done by fellow California designers. Simply fun for us to participate. Congratulations to all the winners.
Designing Commercial Spaces - Body Dynamic Studio
There are opportunities for art and design in the most functional commercial spaces we use day to day. Recently we had the good fortune to work with the team at Body Dynamic and create a whimsical and functional interior for them in their new studio in Los Gatos. It's very enjoyable to work with a business project when you can bring out the clients unique or individual qualities. Take a look and tell us what you think.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Remodeling or Building? When To Engage An Interior Designer
It's not uncommon for us to get a call from prospective clients when they are well into the design and construction phase of a new home, or major remodel. We then join the client's team of architect, contractor and (sometimes landscape designer). Most of the time the transition is smooth, though some architects and contractors can be reluctant to bring in a new stakeholder who might adjust the project scope, budget and timeline. This then brings up the question in the client's mind, "what would have been the best time to call in an interior designer?" There is no right answer, we can only share what we have seen work best in over 20 years of work with clients, architects and builders in California and beyond. In our experience it is best of the project begins with an interior designer firmly on board. In this video, Vivian Soliemani of our Bethe Cohen Design Associates team explains why it is best to hire a design firm in the beginning. She also highlights the unique areas an interior design firm can address with the clients.
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